Waitangi Day info, funding local creativity, and more district news

Published on 31 January 2025

Early stats show a great summer on the Coromandel

The data is in and it tells the story of an exceptional summer for our district.

Visitor spending in December was up 4.9% compared to December 2023. This appears to be driven by a 9.1% increase in visitor transactions, and international visitor transactions increasing by 40%.

The reopening of Cathedral Cove brought a significant boost to the Southern Mercury Bay area, which includes Hāhei, Cathedral Cove, and Hot Water Beach. Transactions in this area surged by 50% compared to December last year.

This is fantastic news for businesses in the district, most of which are small businesses or sole traders, and the one in five working locals that rely on tourism. No doubt this activity has also boosted seasonal employment.

From the beautiful beaches, expansive forests, to the local shops and cafes, attractions, and events, it’s great to see visitors and locals alike enjoying what the district has to offer.

Discover more about our district through the Infometrics Regional Economic Profile. You can also explore youth employment statistics and stay updated with rolling releases of Census 2023 data.

Whitianga among NZ’s most ‘welcoming’ centres

Whitianga has been named one of New Zealand’s most welcoming centres according to the Booking.com’s 2025 Traveller Review Awards.

The awards were announced on Tuesday with Taupō listed as the number one most welcoming, Havelock North in Hawke's Bay second and Whitianga third.

Mercury Bay Community Board chairwoman Rekha Giri-Percival said the placing was a great recognition of Whitianga and its Coromandel community.

“The Coromandel was significantly impacted by Covid-19 and extreme weather events in recent years, particularly with the closure of SH25A. Our Council and a lot of our communities worked hard to recover from these; so to be recognised as one of Aotearoa’s most welcoming centres is truly heartening,” Giri-Percival said.

“Whitianga is becoming increasingly popular with many people moving to town. We have great food eateries, amazing outdoor activities such as walking, cycling, boating and amazing destinations nearby such as Cathedral Cove, Hot Water Beach and the Kauri tracks and waterpark on our 309 Road. We love looking after our visitors and encourage them to experience all of these.”

The awards also recognised the most welcoming cities internationally, listing Sigiriya in Sri Lanka, Cazorla in Spain, and Urubici in Brazil as the top three and Taupō fourth.

Stay safe on the roads this Waitangi weekend

Plan ahead and take simple steps to ensure a safe journey during Waitangi weekend:

Adjust your driving to the conditions.
Take regular breaks to stay alert.
Maintain a safe following distance from vehicles ahead.
Be patient and careful when passing cyclists.
Allow extra time so you can avoid rushing.
Check that your car is in good condition before hitting the road.

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.

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Funding applications open soon for local creative projects

Local artists and community groups across our district can soon apply for funding through the Creative Communities Scheme to support their creative projects.

Applications for the next funding round open on Monday 3 February 2025 and close on Friday 28 February 2025.

Backed by Creative New Zealand, the scheme boosts participation in the arts, expands access to diverse creative opportunities and strengthens the local arts sector. The funding focuses on projects that encourage community involvement, celebrate cultural diversity or enable young people to engage in the arts.

The scheme funds projects, not individuals, making it perfect for groups or organisations bringing creative ideas to life. Previous recipients have painted public murals, hosted music workshops and organised cultural festivals.

Don’t miss this opportunity to turn your creative vision into reality.

Learn more and apply here

Getting ready for our Local Elections

This October, Thames-Coromandel residents and ratepayers will have the chance to shape local decision-making by standing as candidates or voting for those who represent their interests.

Key dates

4 July 2025: Nominations open
1 August 2025: Nominations close
6 August 2025: Public notice of candidate names
9–22 September 2025: Voting documents delivered
7 October 2025: Last day to post votes by mail. After this date, votes must be dropped off at Council ballot boxes.
11 October 2025: Election Day – votes close at 12 noon. Preliminary results announced.
16–19 October 2025: Declaration of results

Enrol to vote

If you’re over 18, a New Zealand citizen or a permanent resident, and meet enrolment criteria, check or update your details at vote.nz. Non-resident ratepayers and those voting in the Māori Ward can find enrolment details on our website in the link below.

Make your voice count—visit our site for more information and updates.

Find out more here

Pāuanui Wastewater Treatment Plant odour control

Pauanui odour project.jpg The Pāuanui Wastewater Treatment Plant is operating normally and performing as expected after the completion of a new odour control system. We’re working with the supplier to add remote automation functionality, which is the final step of the project. During the busy Christmas and New Year period, the plant was fully operational, and our maintenance contractor kept a close eye on it. We received just one odour complaint, which was quickly addressed.