New parking penalties, Matarangi’s Omara Reserve, Mahuru Māori & more

Published on 27 September 2024

Government rolls out new parking penalties

If you’re out and about looking for a parking spot from 1 October, think twice before you park and dash in to do that urgent errand.

Starting on Tuesday 1 October, the government is increasing parking penalties and taking a harder line on those who overstay and park inconsiderately in council managed parking areas.

The biggest jump is for parking in disabled spots without a permit, which rises from $150 to $750. The Hon Louise Upston, Minister of Disability Issues, says the increase will “send a very clear message that this behaviour is not okay, and that we are serious about addressing accessibility”.

For the first time in 20 years, towing and impound fees will also be adjusted to reflect operator costs. If you get towed on weekends or public holidays and your vehicle weighs 3,500kg or less, you’ll pay $120.30 instead of $71.50.

Other increases include parking without due care and consideration, parking on broken yellow lines, in a bus or cycle lane, on pedestrian crossings or next to another stopped vehicle: all rising from $60 to $100.

The government says all fines have been adjusted for inflation, with an average 70% increase across the board.

Last call to our Thames-Coromandel artists

Chrous winner 2025.png Congratulations to local artist Sarah Nicholson, two of her murals in our district were voted into the 2025 Chorus Cabinet Art calendar.

If you would an opportunity to transform those plain telco cabinets into stunning pieces of public art, brighten up the neighbourhood and make your mark in your community – submit your designs before Monday 1 October.

Submit here

How can we love Matarangi’s Omara Reserve?

Omara Reserve.png We want to hear your thoughts on how the land by the boat ramp on the estuary can be tidied up and organised so that it remains open space available for the whole community to use, including families with children.

The land is zoned as passive recreation, which means flexible open space for walking, picnicking, playing frisbee, accessing the beach, and what else?

Refuse and Recycling Transfer Station hours

Rubbish and recycling.png With daylight saving coming into action this Sunday 29 September, all the Refuse and Recycling Transfer Stations are open an hour extra – from 8.30am-5.30pm.

And please note that there’ll be no rubbish and recycling kerbside collections on Monday 28 October due to the Labour Weekend public holiday. That week, all collections of red week rubbish and food scraps will take place a day later than normal.

More here

Mahuru Māori: Embracing te reo together

Te Wiki week winners 2024.png

Mahuru Māori is an initiative established in 2014 to encourage Aotearoa to speak Māori throughout the month of September.

As Mahuru Māori comes to a close, we want to celebrate the wonderful ways our Council embraced this vibrant month dedicated to te reo Māori. Here’s a look back at some of the highlights:

We kicked off our celebrations with a fun-filled rā kēmu (game day). Participants enjoyed classic games like Kei te kōrero a Haimona (Simon Says) and engaged in a quiz that tested our knowledge of the language and culture. It was a fantastic way to learn and connect, all while having a great time.

Throughout te Wiki o te reo Māori, we shared a new phrase each day on our Facebook page. This initiative aimed to encourage everyone to incorporate te reo into their daily lives. We hope these phrases sparked conversations and made the language more accessible to all.

To further immerse our staff in the spirit of Mahuru Māori, we put up kīwaha (common sayings) around our offices. These phrases not only beautified our workspace but also served as a daily reminder for everyone to use te reo whenever and wherever possible.

As we wrap up Mahuru Māori, let’s carry this momentum forward. Continue to embrace te reo Māori in your daily lives, challenge yourself, and involve our community.

And let’s plan for next year and what te reo Māori looks like in the future in our Council and in the community pre, during and post Mahuru Māori.

Project Updates

Matarangi stormwater work

Our Council has been working on the stormwater network in Matarangi and has formed a community engagement group of local residents and ratepayers, Mercury Bay Community Board members and Council staff to help guide the work.

We’ve already carried out significant maintenance work on the stormwater and groundwater networks and removed blockages. We will be working closely with Matarangi Golf Course to manage water levels in the Golf and Link lakes, which form an important part of the stormwater management system in Matarangi. New measuring staffs will be installed in the lakes in October or November to more effectively monitor water levels.

Stormwater modelling of Matarangi is being used to inform stormwater infrastructure solutions to reduce flooding. Our Long Term Plan includes funding of $3.2 million for further work, to begin in 2025/26.

Whangamatā Fire Station playground

The playground behind the Whangamatā fire station was listed in the 2021-2031 Long Term Plan as due for renewal in the 2022/23 financial year, with a budget of $156,000. This was deferred in the 2023/24 Annual Plan process due to the huge amount of budget and staff that needed to be diverted to cyclone recovery work. The project wasn’t included in the 2024-2034 Long Term Plan because an inspection last year determined that the playground could, with minor work, continue to be usable for the short term, with frequent monitoring to ensure its safety.

However, a recent inspection highlighted some safety concerns that meant the playground had to be immediately closed. The playground equipment is old and replacement parts are no longer made and are difficult to source. A specialist playground inspector visited the site on Friday 20 September and has come up with a solution to reopen the playground. The inspector we brought in works across the country and has a good understanding of what playgrounds are being worked on by which councils and knows what parts and components may be available. The inspector will help in the search for additional parts. Meanwhile, we’ve appointed a contractor who is expected to have the playground reopened by the end of this week. The playground will not be as good as new but will be safe to open. Some additional work may be required after the school holidays.

The cost will be approximately $2,000-$4,000.

Thornton Bay slip stabilisation project update

Our Council was approved to receive $1.3 million to fund slip stabilisation work in Thornton Bay, on the Thames Coast, from the government’s Cyclone Recovery Unit’s Local Government Flood Co-investment Fund.

Design is completed and tender document should be out for tender by October 2024
Construction is planned to begin in February 2025 and expected to be completed by June 2025

More here

Mount Paku, Tairua walkway closure

Mt Paku.png Access to Mount Paku in Tairua will be closed from Tuesday 1 October - Friday 4 October, due to the construction of new stairs along the walkway.

Fundraising workshops with Funding HQ

funding hq.png Local community groups and not-for-profits are invited to a half-day workshop with Funding HQ, to learn about accessing sustainable funding streams.

Acquire skills and insights from Jenni Giblin at Funding HQ on how to access and secure funding for your group or organisation. Funding HQ's founder, Jenni Giblin, will be visiting the region to deliver the workshops in-person.

More here