Kia Ora Koutou, Jessica and Joshua here from Garden Music in Thames.
As artists ourselves, as well as working professionally within the arts, we know first-hand the complexities, joys and exhaustion of it all. One of the best things that keeps us going and keeps us inspired is getting that fresh issue of Coromind.
In a unique region like the Coromandel, it’s easy for creativity to go unnoticed, and for communities to feel isolated from each other. That’s why Coromind is such an important part of our local media landscape. It connects us, celebrates us, and reminds us of the depth of talent we have right here at home.
One of Coromind’s greatest strengths is how it encourages us to celebrate and support local arts. By showcasing the diversity and calibre of the artists who live and work here, it reminds us how spoiled we are for creativity in the Coromandel rohe. From visual arts to theatre, from writing to pottery, Coromind shines a light on the richness of what’s happening around us.
For us, music is a big part of this story … the chance to celebrate music that is written, recorded, performed and produced, right here. For many in the community who had no idea that original music was being made in their own backyard, Coromind offers a rare and intimate glimpse into that creative life, and an opportunity to experience the magic being created just down the road.
Beyond the arts, Coromind also helps to connect community groups. For those of us who run small businesses, such as the local music shop, we can feel the change Coromind has brought to the region. It’s helped us feel part of something bigger, fostering a stronger sense of belonging and connection across the Coromandel.
That connection matters.
Places like Thames often feel quite separate from the rest of the region, but Coromind bridges those divides.
It helps us see ourselves not just as isolated towns, but as part of a larger, thriving, creative community.
What makes Coromind unique is its variety. It doesn’t just highlight what’s palatable or mainstream but embraces diversity in all its forms. It gives a platform for artists to express themselves publicly, to take risks, and to create for a community that is listening, watching and learning.
At its heart, Coromind is about connection: between artists and audiences, between different parts of the Coromandel, and between people who might otherwise never cross paths. It’s more than media to us here in Thames, it’s a celebration of who we are, and a reminder of the incredible talent that surrounds us every day.
This bunch of silly dorks here at the music shop cannot express our gratitude enough for the work the Coromind team puts in, and how much of a gift it is to us and our community.
We love y’all so much, Arohanui!
Words by Jessica Paton and Joshua Armstrong
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