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Thames pool future
A replacement aquatics facility for Thames has moved a step closer with Thames Community Board recommending a preferred option of a $26.2 million all-indoor facility on Richmond Street, on land leased from Thames High School.
The proposed facility would contain three pools: a learn-to-swim pool for younger children, a programme pool for therapy, aqua walking and learn-to-swim for older children, and a 6-lane 25-metre pool. There would also be an indoor splash pad.
Under this model, capital costs would be reduced by building the upper section of the aquatic facility with ‘structural fabric’ - a curved steel roof holding two layers of structural fabric with insulation in between. A similar structure has been used in Kaitāia’s Te Hiku Sports Hub which opened in 2024 and is reported to be performing well.
The average annual cost of the recommended all-indoor facility per ratepayer over 30 years would be around $682 if funded entirely by Thames Ward. The Board has asked staff to prepare a report on funding options for Council to consider.
At 50 years of age, Thames Centennial Pool is reaching the end of its useful life. It is built on an urupā | burial site. It has been agreed with Ngāti Maru that the pool will be removed.
For more information, including the full business case, visit the link below.
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Coromandel’s aquaculture sector shines with MP visit
This week MP Jamie Arbuckle was in the district for an aquaculture-oriented visit.
As NZ First’s spokesperson for fisheries and aquaculture, Mr Arbuckle was invited to the district by Te Ariki Tahi Sugarloaf Wharf Limited.
Our Council, alongside the Coromandel Marine Farming Association, supported the visit with local businesses and industry to ensure we could also touch on infrastructure, roading, and tourism-related opportunities and challenges for the district.
Mr Arbuckle is also his party’s spokesperson for environment, horticulture, Resource Management Act, internal affairs, and tourism.
Mr Arbuckle visited AgriSea in Paeroa (with a seaweed focus), Kōpū Wharf, seafood processers Sunz Seafood and The Bait Guy in Whitianga, Moana Seafoods (with a focus on oyster farming), Te Ariki Tahi Sugarloaf Wharf, and mussel farming operations in Coromandel/Hauraki Gulf.
He met with industry and local business owners plus members of the Thames Community Board at Kōpū. Our Council spoke with Mr Arbuckle specifically about Kōpū Wharf usage and access, Sugarloaf wharf funding, roading resilience, tourism and the local economy. The visit was well received, positive, and adds to our advocacy of and visibility for the district.
In particular, the visit to Coromandel showcased the outstanding businesses that operate with smart young leaders turning the aquaculture industry around, moving on from the pioneering “cowboy” industry it was a few decades ago.
Coromandel’s oyster flip farming process has huge potential, and there’s potential to grow live and frozen half shell exports to increase NZ’s export revenue. The volumes being produced in the Coromandel for export are already significant – producing 27% of all New Zealand’s Pacific Oysters.
Likewise, the mussel farming industry has growth potential. Large areas of already consented space could be assisted by spat farming developments on the West Coast, poised to unlock three times the current industry spat production. Spat, juvenile mussels, are a critical component of mussel production.
The Coromandel currently produces around 22% of New Zealand’s Greenshell Mussels.
Mr Arbuckle, as our new Coromandel Champion, has certainly taken a few actions to help support this important industry.
Get ready to rock’n’roll for Repco Beach Hop
Our Council is excited to welcome everyone joining us for New Zealand’s biggest and best celebration of all things rock 'n' roll – Repco Beach Hop. Get ready for a toe-tapping, hip-swinging, eye-popping extravaganza as Repco Beach Hop takes over Whangamatā. Over 26-30 March, immerse yourself in a vibrant festival celebrating classic cars, live music, vintage fashion, motorbikes, and plenty of dancing.
As you enjoy the festivities, we ask everyone to keep a few important things in mind to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all.
Here's what you need to know
Road closures - There are a number of road closures and detours during the event, see tcdc.govt.nz/roads
24/7 temporary alcohol ban - In place from 4pm Tuesday 25 March to 4am Monday 31 March. You can get an instant fine of $250 or be arrested if you breach the ban – tcdc.govt.nz/alcoholcontrol
Dogs - We know many pooches also come and enjoy the Hop. A reminder to owners that we are expecting large crowds and your dog must be on a lead in public places. There are areas you can exercise your dog off-lead, see tcdc.govt.nz/dogrules
Contact us - If you need anything from us check out our website, pop into the Whangamatā Service Centre (620 Port Rd), or give us a call 07 868 0200 – 24/7.
Survey: Help us measure the impact of Repco Beach Hop
Our Council is conducting an economic impact study for the 2025 Repco Beach Hop. In 2021, 1,274 enthusiastic attendees participated in our survey, providing valuable insights. We're gathering input from event participants and spectators to better understand how this iconic shoulder season event affects our local economy and community. Your feedback is essential, and we’d greatly appreciate your participation in the survey.
Complete the survey
Thames Protection and Resilience project
Commercial concessions
Our Council is inviting applications for commercial licences for vendors to deliver activities on Council-owned reserve land.
Commercial operators require a licence to run their business on any Council-owned reserve land. This ensures that the operations are well managed, safe, and enhance our communities and visitors experience of using reserves. Through licensing operators, our Council can also monitor the conditions of the licensee to ensure that they are not breaching the conditions of their licence and taking away from people’s enjoyment of reserves. This also ensures that unlicensed operators can be managed in line with this process.
Applications close Monday 24 April. These will be reviewed in May, vendors will be notified in June, and licenses will be issued in July.
For more information or to submit an application, visit the link below.
Find out more
Expressions of interest
The current funding agreements for the Visitor Information Centres in Tairua, Pāuanui, and Coromandel Town will end on 30 June 2025. We are now seeking expressions of interest (EOI) from businesses or organisations to operate these centres from 1 July 2025.
If you are interested, you must provide friendly, reliable customer service and have good knowledge of the local area and tourism attractions. You may also need to seek additional funding if you want to offer more than what is required in our agreement.
Services include:
- Providing local and district tourism information
- Displaying posters for upcoming events
- Offering booking services for accommodation, attractions, activities, and transport
- Promoting the Thames-Coromandel District and the wider Coromandel area
- Supporting initiatives that align with our Council’s vision to make the Coromandel the most desirable place to live, work, and visit.
The day-to-day management will be the responsibility of the service provider, with our Council providing a set funding amount through a Service Level Agreement.
EOIs close 5pm, Wednesday 30 April 2025. For more information or to submit your EOI, please contact Kirstin Scarrott on 07 868 0200 or email kirstin.scarrott@tcdc.govt.nz.
Project updates
Matarangi Omara Reserve
Last year we asked for your feedback on potential improvements to the reserve. We’ve gone through your feedback, and we’re happy to report that based on what we heard we can work on creating a safer and more enjoyable space for everyone.
You told us there needs to be a vehicle-free space at Omara Reserve to ensure a safe and accessible area for everyone, from children to adults. People want a space free from car traffic where they can walk, play, and relax safely.
What’s happening now & what we can do
We are looking at temporary measures to improve safety and general reserve improvements, including:
- The replacement of the toilet at the reserve will be a top priority. We are coordinating our other improvements around this work to ensure the best use of resources and timing.
- Freedom camping improvements – We’re considering planting flax | harakeke around the freedom camping area to help separate the space.
- Moving logs to help create a vehicle-free space, ensuring a safe and accessible area for all.
Looking to the future
Many of you indicated that you wanted playgrounds, BBQs, and seating areas. While we don’t have the budget for all of these, we are committed to working toward them. To make these improvements happen, we encourage the community to get involved through fundraising efforts or collaborate with local groups and organisations.
Work underway to repair Coromandel Walkway
The Department of Conservation (DOC) is repairing a damaged section of the Coromandel Walkway.
The Coromandel Walkway, connecting Stony Bay and Fletcher Bay, fo
llows the contour of the coastline and is a popular visitor site in northern Coromandel. It was damaged during the extreme weather events of summer 2022-23, with large slips causing significant
damage and forcing the temporary closure of a 670-metre section.
“In some sections, the landslips had taken out the track completely and it has been completely impassable,” says DOC’s Coromandel Supervisor Matt Flynn.
DOC staff have waited for land movement in the area to cease – and now the land has settled, work has begun to recut the track.
The track is set to be fully reopen in mid-April.
Find out more
Slip repairs starting at Port Charles and Stony Bay
From Monday 24 March, slip repair works will begin on Stony Bay Road, approximately 4.5 km from the bridge at Port Charles, to address damage from the 2023 storms. Repairs will then move to two slip sites on Port Charles Road, around 1km before the township.
Kelsey Construction will carry out the works, which include building a timber wall, a gabion wall, and a road retreat. The project is expected to take approximately six weeks, with traffic management in place from 7 am to 7 pm on weekdays.
Thank you for your patience and cooperation.
Porrit Park basketball court closure
The Porritt Park basketball court will be closed for about 10 days while an exciting new mural is installed.
Our Council is excited to have collaborated with the Thames Rangatahi Advisory Panel (T-RAP) from Ngāti Maru Rūnanga, who developed the mural’s theme, and local artist Rick Fisher, who brought their vision to life.
Creative conversations
