Kia ora! Proud to be Local, brought to you by Coromandel’s CFM, is our inspirational feature, highlighting homegrown Coromandel Peninsula folks doing wonderful things out in the world. Supported by Ron Morgan
Name – Yvette Kloss (Prestage)
What are your family links with Mercury Bay?
My grandmother Thelma Prestage was a Simpson before getting married and lived in Whitianga all her life, and her son my dad Richard Prestage was born in Whenuakite and also lived in Whitianga most of his life.
Where are you living now?
I live in a small town in the United Kingdom in West Sussex, about an hour south of London. I have lived in the UK for 18 years.
When did you live in Mercury Bay and which schools did you attend?
I moved to Whitianga from Canada where my dad was logging, when I was five years old. I started MBAS in 1984 and left in 1995 after 5th form. I then went to St Peters in Cambridge for my last two years of school.
What have you been doing since school?
I moved to Sydney when I left school. I trained as a beauty therapist and did that for a while. I then moved to the UK with the intention of travelling around Europe but met my husband; we had three children and the rest is history. We have run a painting and decorating company based in London for the last 16 years.
What would be the achievement you are most proud of?
I am most proud of the family we have created. My children are happy and productive and are all winning. I am also proud of having helped many people through the volunteering work I do in the mental health field.
Have you been back to Whitianga recently?
I haven’t been back in 14 years BUT I am coming back March 2026 and I cannot wait.
What were your fondest memories of Mercury Bay?
I have a lot of fond memories of where I lived up the 309 Road. I loved shooting my gun, swimming in the waterhole, going to work with my dad and watching the logging crew. I used to get up to a lot of mischief with my friends! I really loved MBAS and have so many fond memories of the various school trips we took. I remember having the best time at the Hot Water Beach camping trip, the Rotorua trip and the Mt Ruapehu ski trip.
Who were some of your friends in those early years?
Shelly McPherson, Stacey Garland, Jade Harris, Andrea Lockwood, Amanda Rolls, Beah Beamish, Caitlin Evans, Allan Johnston, Brad Finnerty, Vaughn Condon, Harish Giri, Nick Strachan, Bruce Goodall, Vicky and Kylie Cosson, David Jackman, Anna Collins, Kiri Kohu, Bonnie Beck, Niki I considered all my classmates my friends!
Any friends you would like to catch up with?
I would like to catch up with all the old gang and anyone I went to school with.
PROUD TO BE LOCAL — BROUGHT TO YOU BY CFM — IS OUR INSPIRATIONAL FEATURE, HIGHLIGHTING HOME-GROWN COROMANDEL PENINSULA FOLKS DOING WONDERFUL THINGS OUT IN THE WORLD.
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