So this happened in early December 2025 in Thames, New Zealand. Honestly, it felt a bit wild when I read it. A local woman named Kendell Churcher had just finished a nice swim. I know that area a little because when I visited Coromandel once, the water was spotless, and it had a totally relaxing vibe. She probably thought her day would stay calm, but everything changed when she stopped at Subway to grab something to eat.
She said she was looking for a parking spot. While she was doing that, she saw a man arguing with a group of kids. At first, she probably thought it was just a small argument because that happens everywhere. But when she came back after finding a parking spot, it had already escalated into something serious.
The man’s shirt was ripped, and his face was bleeding. He was shouting foul words at people watching. He even cursed at an older man who was standing there. From what she heard, the kids kept telling him to leave them alone. It sounded like the whole thing started because he approached them, and they wanted nothing to do with him. The exact reason is still unclear.
I have seen small fights on my own street too, and most of the time, you don’t even know why they started. But this one looked rough. If I saw something like that happening in front of me, I would also keep some distance because you never know how unstable a person might be. She did the same. She stayed back but still did something helpful. She called 105, the non-emergency police number in New Zealand. She wrote in her post that she wasn’t sure what happened, but wanted someone to check on the kids and also make sure the man was okay because he looked hurt and might be dealing with mental health problems.
She also warned people not to get close to anyone who was yelling or acting out and to stay safe. With Christmas approaching, stress builds for many people, and I can relate. Even in my family, people get frustrated during the holidays because of money issues or too much pressure. It’s normal, but it can turn scary when someone loses control in public.
People in Thames discussed this incident in their local Facebook group. Some felt sad that the town is starting to feel unsafe. Others shared their own experiences. One guy named Tuhiwai Kingi said Churcher did the right thing and called her a good Samaritan. Another commenter, Helen Baars, mentioned that Thames feels different now, and that older people sometimes feel scared because they think young people are becoming more aggressive.
Someone else, Natalie Conner, said locals don’t get respect anymore, and she misses the old days. Then there was a funny comment where a guy named Noah asked who won the fight. Churcher replied that one of the girls involved actually had the man under control and told him to leave. It sounded a bit like something you see in school when someone gets told off and suddenly looks confused.
Another resident, Kevin Pennell, mentioned he once had a similar experience with a guy acting weird on Queen Street. He thought the person might be on something and waiting for their next welfare payment. Honestly, that part reminded me of seeing random people in my own town acting strange near shops. You can never tell if they need help or are just trying to cause trouble.
This whole situation shows that even in small towns close to beautiful beaches, issues like stress, mental health, and substance abuse still exist. Thames is small compared to Auckland, so people feel the lack of resources more strongly.
As Christmas gets closer, it seems like a good time to check on friends, family, or even neighbors because you never know what someone is dealing with. Getting help doesn’t make anyone weak; it actually shows courage. You may also be interested in: Emily Compagno Early Life Story With Supportive Parents Who Helped Shape Her Career
