Catch up with our Community Boards
All five of our Community Boards were updated on plans to proceed with our two-yearly Community Service Awards. We’ll be asking the community for nominations through August, so start thinking about people who're legends in your patch of the Coromandel - those who go above and beyond to serve the community. Each Board will decide on two nominations in September, with an awards ceremony to be held by each Board in the October round of meetings.
Requests for Service update
Our Boards received a quarterly update on requests to Council for service, which we call RFSs. There’s a wealth of data in this quarter’s report, covering 1 March – 31 May.
Customer Services Overview
Our Customer Services team receives Requests for Services (RFS) from the community through multiple channels: phone calls, emails, and front desk inquiries.
Phone calls to our 07 868 0200 24/7 line:
- Calls received: 18,346
- Percentage of phone calls answered at first point of contact: 80%
Requests for Service (RFS) distribution
Total number of RFSs distributed across all departments for action and resolution: 3,387
Total number of emails to customer.services@tcdc.govt.nz received: 9,818
Departments with the highest volumes of RFSs:
- Building/Planning: 617
- Parks and Open Spaces: 817
- Regulatory/Nuisance: 578
- Roading: 480
- Solid Waste: 800
- Water Services: 931
Read more from your local Community Board by clicking the dropdown below.
Whangamatā Community Board highlights
Whangamatā Community Board meeting Tuesday 16 July
The Board discussed requests to its Discretionary Fund of $90,000 for the 2024/25 financial year and made the following allocations:
• Whangamatā Community Swimming Pool. The pool society requested $46,275 to help fund the pool refurbishment. The Board wanted to see if this request could be funded through retained earnings and asked staff to report to their September meeting.
• Whangamatā Community Library - $5,000 for costs associated with holiday programmes.
• Whangamatā Harbour Care - $1,668 for cost of bird signage at the harbour.
• Whangamatā Harbour Care - $2,155 for administrative expenses.
• Whangamatā Indoor Bowls - $550 towards storage fees.
• Whangamatā Croquet Club - $1,725 towards building maintenance and repairs.
• Carols in the Park - $2,273 for annual Christmas Eve concert.
• Whangamatā RSA- $3,577 towards Anzac Day 2025 costs.
In its Capital Works Programme Update, the Board was told the detailed design for the new campervan dump station at 118 Lindsay Rd had been completed, construction works are being tendered and are expected to be completed by this coming Christmas.
Thames Community Board highlights
Thames Community Board meeting Wednesday 17 July
Thames pool replacement update
The timeframe for completion of a business case to take forward a new aquatic facility for Thames has been extended until the end of 2024 to enable additional work to ensure that the ratepayers are getting the best value option for their rates.
Community feedback earlier this year was clear that a swimming pool was of high importance to the Thames community. However, at the time of the survey the full rating impact was not available.
The financial analysis conducted as part of the ongoing business case has brought into the spotlight the full financial cost of the aquatic facility options. In light of this information, Council staff want to be prudent and ensure all potential cost-saving options have been scoped in order to have full information for good decision-making.
This has led to a decision that further investigation is needed to identify additional cost saving options, that will also meet the community’s strong support for aquatic provision in Thames and deliver the priority aquatic needs identified by the community.
Thames Museum 50th anniversary
Thames Museum Te Whare Taonga o te Kauaeranga extended an invitation to the public to join them in celebrating the museum’s 50 year anniversary on Saturday 17 August at St James Hall, Pahau Street. The event will begin with the Thames Museum Society Inc's AGM at 1.30, followed at 2pm with the birthday celebration. There’ll be displays, music and refreshments, speeches, raffles and the chance to mix and mingle. The museum would particularly love to hear from people who’ve been involved at the museum over the years, or their family members, to share memories and write a few notes in the museum’s memory book.
Earlier on Saturday morning 17 August, from 10am-12.30pm, the museum will host an open day, with entry free to visitors.
Thames Community Board is recommending to Council that funding is allocated from Thames Urban General Purposes Reserve (TUGPR) fund towards three activities:
• up to $50,000 to fit out the new Thames Visitor Information Centre in the Civic Centre where it’ll be run by Thames Business Association. The fit-out is aimed at making the centre visually appealing and may include: display cabinets, brochure stands, new shelving and lighting, a front desk and a glass partition
• up to $20,000 to install under-veranda lighting on Pollen Street to improve safety at night
• $12,000 to complete valuations on leases to six endowment farms so that market rental levels can be ascertained.
The TUGPR fund is made up from revenue from Council-owned farms within Hauraki District as well as sponsorship and pledges associated with the Jack McLean Centre.
Tairua-Pāuanui Community Board highlights
Tairua-Pāuanui Community Board meeting Monday 15 July
The Board discussed several requests to its Discretionary Fund of $67,000 for the 2024/25 financial year and made the following allocations:
• Tairua Ratepayers and Residents Association - $1,000 for assistance towards Waikato Regional Council resource consent fees for a swimming pontoon to be installed at Pepe Estuary
• Tairua Information Centre - $8,030 for costs associated with the running of summer events
• Tairua Community Hall Inc - $10,000 for costs associated with Council lease charges and to replace the carpet in the hall annex
• Tairua Community Menzshed Inc. - $1,620 to cover their lease from Council, power and insurance costs.
These grants leave $46,350 remaining in the Board’s Discretionary Fund this financial year for future allocations.
In the Capital Works Programme Update, the Board heard that planning work on the Cory Wright Domain toilet renewal is proceeding. The project has $275,000 budgeted, with $120,000 from the Board’s Public Convenience Renewals budget and $155,000 from the government’s Tourism Infrastructure Fund. Crown Infrastructure Ltd has agreed to the project schedule and delivery timetable. The concept design has been prepared and is being reviewed, with the next step being the detailed design. Cost estimates for construction can then be drawn up and construction timing will be confirmed once procurement has been completed.
Mercury Bay Community Board highlights
Mercury Bay Community Board meeting Wednesday 24 July
The Mercury Bay Boating Club has requested a lease on Buffalo Beach Reserve for the footprint of their container which has been located there on a temporary informal arrangement since the severe storms of early 2023. The club has requested a year lease and that the Board pay the $350 lease fee for the year. The Board is supportive of the club and recommended that Council begin the process to grant the lease, which needs to be advertised. The Board asked that neighbouring property-owners also be consulted. The Board declined to grant the $350 lease fee through their Discretionary Fund.
In the Capital Works Programme Update the Board heard that tender documents for the toilet upgrades at Buffalo Beach and Omara Reserve Boat Ramp are being prepared, with construction expected to begin in the last three months of the year depending on contractor availability.
The bridge at Taputapuatea Spit was discussed, as a member of the public has been attaching a sign to the bridge, which is damaging the bridge, a structure that was paid for the by the public. The Board is asking that whoever is attaching the signs get in touch with a Board member for a confidential discussion so that an alternative to damaging the bridge with a personal sign may be found. Board contact details are on our website.
Detailed design for the new Whitianga Refuse and Recycling Transfer Station is being finalised and procurement has begun. Applications for consents are expected to be lodged by the end of July, with construction expected to begin in early 2025. A budget of $11.6 million was approved in the Long Term Plan, and we’re waiting to hear from the Ministry for the Environment about our application for funding.
Coromandel-Colville Community Board highlights
Coromandel-Colville Community Board meeting Tuesday 23 July
The Board received its final capital expenditure (capex) works programme for the 2023/24 financial year (2023/24) and gave a welcome to our Council’s new Programme Manager of Infrastructure, Luke Archbold.
Key highlights of the capex works programme included:
• the completion of streetlight renewals and footpath improvements on target during the 2023/24 financial year
• positive progress on the Coromandel Mountain Bike Park public toilet – a tender will go out to market and be awarded in the first quarter of the 2024/25 financial year. This is a multi-year project with about $200K of the unspent budget to be carried forward to the 2024/25 financial year for design and construction works. A procurement plan and tender documents are being drafted.
The Board also received a report from the Chair, who commented how good it was to have the northern Coromandel roadworks largely completed, restrictions lifted, and the job done well and on time.
Meeting agendas and minutes
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Do you agree with our Representation Review ‘initial proposal’?
Public feedback is closing on Friday 2 August for the Representation Review initial proposal. Make sure you have your say and take part in our quick and easy survey.
Last year our Council made a unanimous decision to establish at least one Māori Ward, and this triggered a Representation Review that will come into effect for our local body elections for October 2025.
After a preliminary survey in March of this year, we considered your input, explored some options, and agreed to an initial proposal in June. Now, we’d like to hear what you think about our initial proposal.
We're asking if you agree to our initial proposal for:
• an additional councillor to reflect the introduction of a Māori Ward; and
• a minor boundary change between the South East General Ward and Thames General Ward, and the Tairua-Pāuanui Community Board and Thames Community Board, that affects Neavesville Road and its surrounds.
Let us know what you think.
What's next?
Hurry to register your dog before penalties
We are now in the final week to register your dog without incurring late fees. Ensure your dog is registered by Thursday 1 August to avoid any penalties.
First-time registration: Visit one of our offices, and our friendly team will assist you with the registration process.
Renewal: Complete your renewal in our easy online system, including payment.
More information
Moved recently? Update your address with us
Now that the Long Term Plan for 2024-2034 has been adopted, we’re setting our rates.
Our online Rating Information Database is now available for you to check the changes in rates for your property.
If you’ve moved recently, please update your postal address with us so your next rates notice, posted in September, goes to your current address.
Would you prefer to receive your rates notice by email? Just let us know.
We also have some new options around direct debits, to make it easier for you to pay your rates through the year in regular payments: weekly, two fortnightly options, and monthly.
Update your address online, and download the direct debit form from our website:
Click here
Rates rebate clinics lend a helping hand
Do you need a hand applying for a rates rebate for the current rating year period (1 July 2024 to 30 June 2025)? It can be challenging, so we’re here to help.
If you qualify, we have some handy rates rebate clinics happening around the district. If you’re planning to attend in Thames, you’ll need to make an appointment.
You will need to bring your summary of income for the last tax year (1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024), for the application process. If your only source of income is superannuation, don’t worry, we’ll have those figures for you.
Find out about clinic dates, times, venues and what’s involved in applying on our website. You can apply for a rebate any time until 30 June 2025, when applications close.
Find out more on our website
Request a summary of income
Application forms and process
Our Council sources new materials for unsealed roads
Thames-Coromandel has over 200 km of unsealed roads that need regular maintenance to stay in good condition.
In the last three years, our Council has worked with consultants and contractors to improve these roads by testing locally sourced clay fines and lower stone content materials.
Maintaining unsealed roads is always challenging, and the surface will need renewal over time. However, despite last year's cyclones, requests for road grading have dropped from over 70 in 2019/20 to just 11 in 2023/24.
The information about these materials is being shared with other local authorities to help them improve their roads too.
Entries for Richardsons Hauraki Coromandel Business Awards
The awards highlight excellence and creativity in the business sector, offer an opportunity for businesses to gain recognition, and the chance to benchmark and gain expert advice on how to continue to prosper.
There are two awards for public nomination:
• People's Choice – for an outstanding business.
• Service to Business – for an individual who goes above and beyond for our business community.
Make sure to nominate.
Full information on the award categories and how to enter and nominate is available here. Entries and nominations are open until Friday 16 August. For an overview of how to apply check out some informative videos on the awards Facebook page.
Mark your calendars for the gala evening on Wednesday 23 October at the Thames War Memorial Civic Centre. Ticket sales will open in early August.
Find out more
Hāhei Road urgent closure – Monday 29 July to Friday 2 August
We’re doing urgent repairs on a damaged culvert along Hāhei Road starting on Monday next week.
This section of the road (3km from the intersection with Purangi Road) will be closed 24 hours a day from Monday 29 July at 9am to Friday 2 August at 4pm.
Detour Route: Use Purangi Road, Hot Water Beach Road, and Link Road.
Emergency services will have full escorted access throughout the works. Residents will also have access via each approach impacted by the closure.
Thank you for your patience and co-operation as we ensure the safety and functionality of our roads.
The aerial picture below shows the location of the works can be found on our Road and Highway Conditions page.
Waste minimisation initiatives
Food Lovers Masterclass – evening sessions $10
The Food Lovers Masterclass is a hugely popular seminar on food waste reduction that provides great advice on how to reduce food waste in your household. Topics include: Shopping Smarter, Storing Food Tips and Tricks, Planning Better, Best Before Dates vs Use-By Dates, What can you Freeze? And loads more…
• Whangamatā: Tuesday 27 August, 6-8pm; Whangamatā Bowling Club, 500 Rutherford Road
• Whitianga: Wednesday 28 August, 6-8pm; Mercury Bay Bowling Club, 92 Cook Drive
• Thames: Thursday 29 August, 6-8pm; Thames Civic Centre, 200 Mary Street
Register here
Cloth Nappies, Parenting and more – Online course + coffee group catch-up $10
Would you like to know more about how to reduce your waste as a parent or soon-to-be parent? Kate has just the course for you.
The topics cover: Waste-Free Parenting, Feeding & Baby Food, Cloth Nappies 101, Washing Cloth Nappies and more. This course is available online today. Please register your interest and we’ll get you all set up.
• Whangamatā: Tuesday 27 August, 10–11am
• Whitianga: Wednesday 28 August, 10–11am
• Thames: Thursday 29 August, 10–11am
Register here
Survey on takeaway cup use
Help us devise more sustainable options for takeaway cups by filling in our survey. You’ve got until next Tuesday 30 July.
Complete the survey
Island View Reserve coastal restoration
We’re protecting the dunes at Island View Reserve with new coastal planting, but there are two exotic Norfolk Pine Tres in the way.
We’re removing these trees on Monday 29 July. Once felled, the trees will be cut up and left for the public to take home for firewood.
More coastal restoration work will happen on the north and south reserve in September this year
Opportunities at our Council
At our Council we ensure work-life balance is not just a dream but a reality. We offer an array of staff benefits including flexible work arrangements, relocation allowance, sick leave on commencement of employment and more.
Our current job vacancies are:
• Communications Officer
• Environmental Health Officer
• Contract Manager for Waste & Recycling
• Senior Development Engineer
If you're interested in working for us, and there are currently no vacancies that fit your skillset and knowledge, please complete the expression of interest application via the link below.
For more information or to apply
What's on?
We need your help planting in Onemana next week
Next Wednesday 31 July, we’re continuing the vital restoration work at Onemana beach alongside Waikato Coastcare.
Date: Wednesday 31 July
Time: 9:30am
Location: Onemana Beach (Look for the Coastcare flags)
We will provide lunch
We welcome you, your family, friends, and neighbours to join us for a day of planting.
Find out more
Visit Coastcare’s facebook
Get ready to kōrero with Creative Conversations
Hey Tairua and Pāuanui… Creative Coromandel is coming to kōrero with you to learn about your creative mahi and to introduce you to initiatives that can help amplify your creative practice. This is an excellent opportunity to socialise, network and connect with others.
This is not your boring sit-down hui with a pen and paper… but an invitation to a great night out, good kai and forging new connections. Drop them a line at the email below to let them know you're coming along.
Date: Wednesday 28 August
Time: 5:30 – 7:30pm
Venue: Tairua Golf Club, 284 Main Road, Tairua
RSVP: info@creativecoromandel.co.nz
Whitianga Summer Concert – get your tickets
Come and celebrate 15 years of the Summer Concert Tour with Cold Chisel, Icehouse, Bic Runga and everclear.
There is a limited number of locals' tickets still available from the Whitianga and the Pāuanui Information Centres.
General and VIP tickets can be purchased through the Moshtix Website.
Purchase tickets
List your event for the Artbeat Spring Festival and be in to win
Creative Coromandel has a great prize package to encourage our creative event organisers out there. Simply list your event for the Coromandel Artbeat Spring Festival before 31 July and you’ll go into the draw to win two VIP tickets for the CoroCine Film Festival Opening Night and the grand Coromandel Artbeat Lauch Party, plus accommodation and dinner for two.
So don’t be shy, get your creative juices flowing and enter that event you’ve been thinking about today. It’s free and you’ve got nothing to lose.
Get listed Read Creative Coromandel’s July pānui
Find out more about the Coromandel Artbeat Spring Festival
Adoptable dog of the week
Find out more
