Decision Time for Thames-Coromandel
Over the coming weeks our Council has two, probably three, big issues we’d like public feedback on so Council can make the best possible decisions for the community.
Our proposal to change rubbish and glass collections over the summer peak period in our East Coast communities opened for feedback this week.
At Tueday 8 April’s meeting, our Council will be asked to approve our consultation on options for the future of water services in the district as part of the Government’s Local Water Done Well (LWDW) reforms. Feedback on this will run from 15 April to 15 May.
LWDW: Find out more
Also on 8 April, Council will decide whether to go ahead with the next step of our Rating Review, which would be public consultation to get feedback on options. If Council decides not to go ahead, then nothing will change. If Council decides to proceed, then we’ll have several options, including the status quo, for you to consider over April and May.
Rating Review: Find out more
Let's talk rubbish: share your thoughts until 29 April
As part of developing our 2025/26 Annual Plan, we’re rethinking how often we do rubbish and glass collections over the peak summer period on our East Coast. There's a way we can have fewer trucks on the roads, less cost to ratepayers and fewer emissions. We're proposing to reduce peak rubbish and glass collections from twice a week, to once a week, from the week of Christmas through to the week of Waitangi.
While the change will only affect rubbish and glass collections in our East Coast communities, all wards will benefit from the cost savings, with an average savings across the district of $33 per ratepayer.
We're asking for feedback through to Tuesday 29 April, so don’t delay, share your thoughts today. We’ve made it easy to respond with a simple online survey, a printable form, and opportunities to speak at information sessions and a public forum.
Share your feedback now
Community catch-up sessions
We'll be holding five informal community catch-up sessions on the 14, 15, 16, 28, and 30 April, for those who prefer to kōrero in person with our elected members and staff about any of these consultations. It's a great chance to get your questions answered, so make sure you mark these in your calendar.
Your feedback will be a big help to us as we come to a decision, and our elected members will consider all the feedback you give - verbal, online and written.
Rubbish and recycling April
For details of your kerbside collections over the Easter and Anzac period, check your area calendar at www.tcdc.govt.nz/bindays
MTFJ: Harvesting potential
Our Council’s involvement in the Mayors Taskforce for Jobs (MTFJ) Community Employment Programme continues to create employment opportunities for young people in our district.
Ngāti Hei recognised Aberam Fleetwood’s passion for māra kai (food gardens) and, in collaboration with our Council’s MTFJ team and the Ministry of Social Development (MSD), secured funding for a five-month role. The Council’s MTFJ staff connected Ngāti Hei with the right people at MSD to arrange funding support for the project and put in place post-placement support to help Abe transition into work.
This initiative focuses on developing a Māra Kai community garden and a Resilience Hub. The project is supported by MSD’s Flexi-wage Project in Community funding, a government-backed employment initiative designed for short-term community and environmental projects. This funding helps participants build work habits and on-the-job skills, supporting long-term employment opportunities.
Now working on the Māra Kai/Resilience Hub Project in Whitianga, Aberam has brought new energy to the gardens, helping them thrive while supporting whānau with fresh produce and sustainable living. He shares, “I am really enjoying my mahi in the māra kai. I like weeding and keeping my gardens tidy.” He adds, “My favourite thing is being able to share the kai that I have grown with whānau.”
As part of this initiative, Aberam helps maintain and expand the māra kai while supporting the development of the Resilience Hub—a space that will offer training in gardening, sustainability, and emergency preparedness. The project aims to build self-sufficiency within the iwi, with potential pathways for Aberam to transition into the Ngāti Hei Tiaki Whenua crew for future conservation work.
Through partnerships with local iwi, businesses, and government agencies, our Council’s MTFJ programme continues to create meaningful employment opportunities, helping rangatahi gain valuable experience while contributing to projects that benefit the wider community.
About Mayors Taskforce for Jobs
MTFJ is a movement of mayors around Aotearoa who advocate for a bottom-up approach to employment solutions to deliver the Community Employment Programme (CEP) along with broader initiatives. In particular, CEP is a nationwide partnership between MTFJ and the Ministry of Social Development (MSD) that’s delivering great outcomes in our rural and provincial communities. It’s championed by mayors who are working together towards the vision of all young people 16-25 engaged in employment, education or training in their communities.
Coromandel roading update April 2025
Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency has shared that their Coromandel Recovery Programme is nearing completion, with work set to begin on the final sites over the next 3-4 months.
Key projects include:
- Repair work on the large underslip on Kūaotunu Hill will start in May and take around six months, possibly requiring full road closures at times, with the community being kept updated throughout.
- Repairs to the Manaia Hill underslip will begin in May, with stop/stop traffic management in place.
- The SH25 Moana Anu Anu River Bridge will be closed for deck repairs from 8am, Tuesday 8 April, for about 24 hours, with a detour in place.
- A public information day for the new Pepe Bridge in Tairua will be held on 30 April 2025.
- The new SH26 bridge has fully opened, replacing the Onetai Bridge with a wider and safer structure. It is the first state highway bridge in 50 years to use timber for its deck.
Check out Waka Kotahi NZ Transport for more information.
Coromandel Town Office half-day closure
Matarangi Omaro Reserve
Our Council would like to apologise for incorrectly referring to Omaro Reserve as Omara Reserve in our previous communications. We acknowledge the importance of accurate place names and their cultural significance. We appreciate the community bringing this to our attention and have now corrected it. We will ensure the correct name is used in all future communications and are working towards updating it in older documents.
If you’d like to stay updated on planned upgrades for Omaro Reserve, check out the website here.
Update on Thames RTS roading repairs