Get ready for Waitangi Day: Events & local updates

Debut of Whitianga Waitangi Day celebrations

Waitangi Day will come alive in Whitianga this year with a first-of-its-kind event for the Coromandel. 

Waitangi ki Whitianga is being presented by Ngā Tūmanako Whitianga Charitable Trust - a newly established charity focused on connecting all things Māori to the greater community of Whitianga. 

The event is being held at Buffalo Beach Reserve and a whakatau (welcome ceremony) will take place at 9.30am before the main event is held from 10am to 2pm. 

Waitangi ki Whitianga is a fun, all-ages event and a wonderful chance for everyone to learn about the signing of Te Tiriti o Waitangi together. It will also feature an exciting line-up of kapa haka, live music from local artists and Mau Rākau (martial arts) demonstrations. 

Cultural performances and Tiriti-focused workshops, sharing rich stories and histories from a local iwi perspective, will also feature. Stalls offering delicious kai, interactive toi Māori, hauora services and educational opportunities are also on offer. 

Waitangi ki Whitianga is an alcohol-, smoke- and drug-free event made possible with support from Mānatu Taonga/Ministry of Culture and Heritage, Hauraki Te Puna Hauora Matua o Hauraki/Hauraki Primary Health Organisation and our Council. 

Find out more here

Have a great Waitangi weekend

Plan ahead to ensure a safe journey this Waitangi weekend. 

Check the latest traffic conditions on state highways at journeys.nzta.govt.nz/holiday-journeys. 

We also keep our website up to date with local road closures—be sure to check it out before you leave: www.tcdc.govt.nz/RoadConditions. 

Let’s make this a safe and enjoyable weekend for everyone on the road.

Rubbish and recycling kerbside collections

There are no delays to kerbside collections this week despite the public holiday. Waste Management have a collection team operating on Waitangi Day, Thursday 6 February. Reminders of the daily schedules are here www.tcdc.govt.nz/bindays    

Our Refuse and Recycling Transfer Stations will also be open on Waitangi Day.

Next week, starting Monday 10 January, we are back to usual with our yellow and red alternate system resuming (or continuing for the wider Thames area). It starts with yellow week – you can put out your yellow recycling wheelie bin, your food scraps bin and your blue crate for glass. Again, your collection calendars are here www.tcdc.govt.nz/bindays.

On Monday 10 February, the Onetai Stream Bridge between Hikutaia and Pūriri will be closed for up to four weeks while the bridge is being replaced. This work is being undertaken by New Zealand Transport Agency | Waka Kotahi.

The detour will be clearly signposted. Northbound traffic will use State Highway 2, Orchard and Bush roads and SH25. Southbound traffic will use SH25, Hauraki Road and SH2.

More information

Pohutukawa Grove Ford upgrade

We're upgrading the Pohutukawa Grove ford on Port Jackson Road. Our team will replace a section of the concrete within the ford.

What you need to know:

Date: Work will take place from Monday 10 February for four days.
Traffic management: Expect 50-minute Stop/Stop controls, with vehicles allowed through on the hour.
Cyclist access: Cyclists will be allowed through when safe to do so.

District Events Fund opens for 2025 applications

Are you organising an event with the potential to make waves in the Coromandel? The District Events Fund is now open for applications, offering support to events that showcase the region and drive economic and social wellbeing. 

If your event can attract domestic and international tourists, engage our holiday homeowners, and take place outside the busy summer months, it could be eligible for funding. 

What the Fund supports 

The District Events Fund prioritises events that: 

• Boost the economy: demonstrate the ability to attract visitor spending and increase off-peak or shoulder-season activity 
• Enhance community vibrancy: bring energy and excitement to the district, offering opportunities for fun and connection 
• Promote safety and a sense of place: showcase Coromandel as a safe, welcoming region with a strong identity 
• Raise the region's profile: attract attention through regional and national media, enticing visitors to explore Coromandel’s unique offerings. 

To be considered, your event should aim to attract at least 2,000 visitor days or equivalent economic impact and align with the fund criteria.

How to apply 
If you’re sure your event fits the criteria of this fund, you can find all information on applying here.

Applications close Friday 28 February 2025.  

Need Help? 
Reach out to our District Events and Experiences Coordinator, Kirstin Scarrott, on 07 868 0200 or via email at Kirstin.scarrott@tcdc.govt.nz. 

Find out more

Funding applications now open for local creative projects

Learn more and apply here

Have your say: It’s submission season

Parliament's decisions affect all New Zealanders. Have your say and influence the laws passed by Parliament by getting involved and making a submission. Several key legislative changes are open for public input. 

Current opportunities to submit 

Local Government (Water Services) Bill: Express your opinions on the amendment of existing provisions in the Resource Management Act 1991 (RMA) relating to infrastructure and energy, housing growth, farming and the primary sector, natural hazards and emergencies, and system improvements.  

Resource Management (Consenting and Other System Changes) Amendment Bill: Share your thoughts on how these changes will impact planning and environmental management in your region. 

Other local issues: Our Council will be consulting on many important issues in the next few months. Keep an eye out for consultations specific to our district on our website.  

Submissions are often quick to complete and every contribution counts. Let’s work together to ensure our region’s needs and values are reflected in the decisions that shape our future.  

Visit the Parliament submissions page for more