Te Puke up in arms over Thunder'

Te Puke residents are fuming that the name of their beloved town is being used to sell a legal high product and say the use of it in such a way is offensive.
The legal high smoking product Te Puke Thunder is now being sold alongside Opotiki Blue and Tokearoa High distributed in 2g packets.
Distributed by party pill stockists Convenience Marketing, the packets each feature the brand name printed over a prominent marijuana leaf.
The name Te Puke Thunder has been slang for dope grown in the Kiwifruit capital of the world for decades, but is not a phrase locals are proud of.
Among those offended by the product is Te Puke Police Community Constable Tawhai Norman, a born and bred resident.
Mrs Norman was not aware of Te Puke Thunder being sold in the town, but knew of about three stores selling the synthetic cannabis product Kronic and was concerned about young people gaining access to it.
"These producers, they're basically sending out a message that it's okay to fill yourself up with these drugs, just because they're legal.
"They're using the Te Puke name for a product that has a hallucinogenic effect on people. It's a drug, it doesn't matter how you try to cover over it."
Mrs Norman said she could see no benefit to the town.
"I can guarantee that none of their profits from their product are coming to Te Puke."
The name Te Puke referred to a pa site on Number 1 Rd and as a Maori the "bastardisation" of the name to sell legal highs was offensive, she said.
Te Puke Community Board chairperson and local retailer Karyl Gunn said the product was a disappointment at a time when the town was preparing to host Namibia during the Rugby World Cup and last night launched plans for a major upgrade in the town centre.
"The adverse effects of using that wording is disappointing. Any community has to deal with all the effects of social and economic problems and this will only enhance a feeling of despondency from the community when we have so much pride in what Te Puke is and where it's going in the future."
Ms Gunn said she hoped fellow retailers would steer clear of selling the product in Te Puke.
"Obviously it's not a good reflection on the community of Te Puke even though that reference has been round for many years."
Focus Te Puke spokesman Mark Boyle said the product gave the town a bad name and was offensive to the community.
"We think it's entirely inappropriate. Te Puke prides itself on being a very strong community."
He planned to speak to authorities and Members of Parliament to see what could be done about the use of the name.
"My very strong suggestion to anyone in Te Puke who's considering selling it would be to think again. Speaking on behalf of the business community we'd be encouraging retailers to give it a wide berth and stay right away from it."
Opotiki mayor John Forbes has said he would now consider lodging a complaint - something Western Bay of Plenty District Mayor Ross Paterson won't be bothering with in Te Puke's case.
"It's sensationalising something that's not ideal within our community.
"The majority of ratepayers in Te Puke would see this as a complete waste of time."
Convenience Marketing did not return calls. with APN