Matariki, upcoming kerbside changes, and more news from our Council

Published on 07 July 2023

The latest from Mayor Len

Matariki falls in the cold and wet season – but is also a time for gathering people.

Matariki came a little early for me – yesterday I gathered with a great bunch of people who were hosted at Manaia marae by Ngāti Pūkenga. The group included representatives from the Pare Hauraki Collective, Department of Conservation, Waikato Regional Council and our Council.

The purpose of the day was to spend meaningful time with our iwi community, understand how the Pare Hauraki Treaty Settlement is progressing, and also korero about how we can all better partner for meaningful and beneficial outcomes for our people. To top things off, the day was neither cold nor wet – so we had the chance to all board a mussel barge and visit several farms to look at the growth cycle of mussels around the Coromandel Harbour.

In our hui at the marae, some clear issues were raised: the need to improve housing for whānau, climate change resilience, the importance of aquaculture to our district and national economy. Also, how the need to have open dialogue and connection in our commitment to Te Tiriti, our strategic priorities and partnerships.

Housing, employment and sustainability and resilience are all top of our Council’s agenda, and in the coming months we’ll be sharing more about the mahi we’re starting to do in this space – including some hui on housing I’ll be hosting around the district in August. For now, returning to Matariki – the theme this year is Matariki Kāinga Hokia or 'Matariki calls you home'.

It’s a time to return to your whānau and your people, wherever and whoever that might be. Journey back home and celebrate, feast and be with whānau and friends. I had this experience at Manaia marae yesterday – with the opportunity to come together with truly awesome people, share kai and korero in a place we all come home, the Coromandel.

— Mayor Len

No Time to Waste

Our Council is upgrading its rubbish and recycling system and there’s no time to waste.

We have partnered with New Zealand Waste Free Warrior Kate Meads and her education team to assist with community education on our new bin system.

Kate and her team, and our Solid Waste team, will be out and about at the following locations next week to show you the bins.

They can answer your questions about the new rubbish and recycling service which starts in our district from September.

Pop down and meet them and check out the bins that’ll be delivered to your property in late July and August. 

See below for dates and times of where they'll be:

• Four Square Coromandel Town, Tuesday 11 July 11am–1pm
• Matarangi Four Square, Tuesday 11 July 2pm–4pm
• Kūaotunu Store, Tuesday 11 July 2.30pm–4pm
• New World Whitianga, Wednesday 12 July 10am–2pm
• Countdown Whitianga, Wednesday 12 July 3.30pm–5pm
• Cooks Beach General Store, Wednesday 12 July 2pm–3pm
• Hāhei Store General Store, Wednesday 12 July 3.30pm–5pm
• Four Square Tairua, Thursday 13 July 10am–11am
• Pāuanui Shopping Centre, Thursday 13 July 10.30am–12pm
• New World Whangamatā, Thursday 13 July 1pm–4pm
• Pak'n'Save Thames, Wednesday 19 July 12pm–5pm

Learn more about the upgraded rubbish and recycling system by downloading a copy of our helpful leaflet.

To find out more about the upgraded rubbish and recycling system please visit tcdc.govt.nz/solid-waste-FAQs.

Road and highway conditions

A minor slip has come down at Waiomu Bay, impacting one lane. SH25 remains open under traffic management at the site.

Updates can be found on Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency's Journey Planner.

Click here for a full list of road and highway conditions, including scheduled work.

Road to Recovery

New spending data released

New data from Infometrics shows spending in the Coromandel in May was down 22 per cent, compared to last year. The figure dropped from $14.22 million to $11.09 million.

“This is no surprise,” says our Mayor Len Salt. “These figures provide a sobering fact-check to what we all knew: that our economy is continuing to suffer as a result of the cyclones earlier this year and the long-term damage to SH25A as well as local roads like the Tapu-Coroglen. This is why we’re continuing to push the government for support to get us through until SH25A is reopened next year.”

Read more in our Road to Recovery, including sources of funding for events, rural businesses and community organisations.

Temporary State Highway signage being installed

Temporary signage is being installed on roads approaching the Coromandel to show travellers the best routes and distances around the peninsula while SH25A is closed.

While locals are aware of the SH25A closure and the best alternative routes, the changes are needed for visitors to the Coromandel who are less familiar with the roads. This is particularly important for electric vehicle drivers.

All changes are temporary and will be changed back once SH25A reopens – which is expected to be March 2024.

Click here to read more.

Kauaeranga Valley trail

The Council is investigating community views on the potential for a new trail in the Kauaeranga Valley.

For a number of years there has been concern about the need for safe access routes for children walking and cycling up Kauaeranga Valley Road and for other leisure users accessing the valley for walking, swimming or cycling.

In 2016, the Visitor Optimisation and Promotion Plan for Thames raised the potential for a new trail in the Kauaeranga Valley.

The Kauaeranga River Valley Trail Advocacy Group been lobbying the Council on a proposal to develop a trail that includes a bridge over the Kauaeranga River, to link Kauaeranga Valley Road to Maramarahi Road and submitted a proposal for the Council’s Long Term Plan 2021-2031.

There is currently a survey running, seeking community views. The survey has been extended until 17 July. Have your say by clicking on this link.

Find out more here. 

Whangamatā Dune Restoration

Earthworks are set to start for Stage 1 of the Whangamatā dune restoration project.

During the week of 17 July there will be a digger on site removing weed and exotic material from the upper dune (from 114a Pipi Road to 100 Pipi Road). There’ll also be a bulldozer on site during that week to push up sand from down by the water line, to the rebuilt dune. Pictured are similar earthworks that have taken place in Pāuanui. 

The project will enable a more resilient dune (self-repair) system over time. It will also help to maintain diversity of indigenous coastal species and encourage natural regeneration of indigenous species.

The work is being carried out alongside Whangamatā's local community, including iwi Ngāti Pū ki Otairi and hapū Uru Ngawera, Department of Conservation and Coastcare Waikato.

Sites for dune restoration in Whangamatā will also get the first of two sprays during July and August (weather dependent) to remove exotic weeds and undesirable vegetation.

Join us for a community planting day (weather dependent):

• Saturday 29 July
• Sunday 30 July
• Saturday 26 August
• Sunday 27 August
• Saturday 16 September
• Sunday 17 September

Volunteers will meet at 9am, at access 14 (Island View Carpark). All you need to bring is covered sturdy footwear, suitable clothing, gardening gloves, and a spade.

For more information, join the Facebook Group for volunteers: Save the Dunes Whangamatā. 

Matariki Weekend

We're looking forward to Matariki weekend, with a public holiday on Friday 14 July. Council offices and District Libraries will be closed, while refuse transfer stations will be open in line with their public holiday hours. We hope you have a safe and relaxing long weekend. 

If you'd like to learn more about Matariki, including useful resources to download, there is more information at matariki.com.

There will also be a live broadcast of celebrations around the country that you can tune into on the morning of Friday 14 July.

Updates from our Council

Kerbside collections  
There are no scheduled kerbside rubbish collections on Matariki.

Our seven Refuse Transfer Stations are open on Matariki Friday to their public holiday hours (Coromandel Town closes at 4pm).    

Alcohol bans
Alcohol bans are in place over Matariki long weekend, from 4pm Thursday 13 July to 4pm Sunday 16 July.  

Council offices and district libraries 
Closed on Matariki Friday. You can still contact us on customer.services@tcdc.govt.nz or phone us 24/7 on 07 868 0200. 

Dog rules  
Please keep your dogs on a lead in our town centres. There are off-leash dog exercise areas across our district.  

Annual Plan makes room for road repairs

Re-prioritising budgets and projects to repair our storm-damaged roading network has defined our Council’s Annual Plan for the 2023/24 financial year.  

Our Council formally adopted the Annual Plan at the end of June, setting an average district-wide rates increase of 11.6 per cent. 

To avoid a higher increase, we’ve cut our operational costs, revised our capital works budget and deferred some of our non-roading projects.  We’ve also used retained earnings – which are generated when our operational budgets have been underspent – to soften the rates increase by three per cent.  

“The road to recovery may seem daunting at times, but we’ll continue to advocate for ongoing central and regional support as we move through the recovery phase,” says our Mayor Len Salt.  

Click here to read more and find out more and read our full Annual Plan.

Registrations for Shake Out 2023 open

Registrations are now open for New Zealand ShakeOut 2023, our national earthquake drill and tsunami hīkoi. On 19 October at 9:30am, Aotearoa New Zealand will have the opportunity to practise the correct actions to take during an earthquake and tsunami by participating in this year’s ShakeOut drill. New Zealand ShakeOut is a partnership between the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Civil Defence Emergency Management Groups, and Toka Tū Ake EQC.

19 October is International Shakeout Day, and New Zealanders will be kicking off the party by being the first country in the world to hold their ShakeOut drill. Millions of people across the world have already signed up to participate in ShakeOut, and registrations are now open to Kiwis who want to get involved.

In the first 24 hours of registrations being open, 160,000 people signed-up! Last year, around 700,000 Kiwis took part in ShakeOut.

Click here to find out more, or email shakeout@nema.govt.nz

Opportunities at our Council

The Coromandel offers breath-taking scenery, golden beaches, and remarkable rainforests. Our district offers a peaceful, restorative atmosphere with plenty of opportunities for adventure, while being only 90 minutes from the city.

Close enough for a regular commute, but far enough for a complete change of pace. Feel free to pass these opportunities on to anyone who may be interested. We also welcome you to submit an expression of interest if you're interested in working with us.

Solid Waste Administrator 

We have a Technical Support Officer position available in our busy Solid Waste team. In this role you will be responsible for providing critical administration support to our team working closely with our Contractor who provide kerbside collections and manage Council's seven Refuse Transfer Stations (RTS) across the Peninsula. This is a permanent, full-time role based in our Thames Office.

Project Delivery Manager

As the Project Delivery Manager, you are a vital and strategic piece in the puzzle for leading the team on a wide range of projects.  This role actively supports Council's strategic direction through effective management of all capital projects detailed within the Annual Plan.

Expressions of Interest

At Thames-Coromandel District Council, we offer a diverse range of career opportunities.

If you're interested in working for us, and there are currently no vacancies that fit your skillset and knowledge, please let us know by completing an expression of interest application.

Adoptable dogs

Pono

This handsome young boy is a Huntaway cross and an entire male. He's a fun-loving guy who loves to hang out and play. He knows some commands, is house trained, and would be a perfect walking or running buddy. He can get quite excited as he loves company and would suit a high energy owner. 

Tan and white female

We also have one female dog up for adoption. This lovely tan and white girl is sweet-natured, and a little timid.

She would be great in a quiet home with a kind, loving owner.

If you are interested in adopting a dog, please contact us on 07 868 0200.

Once your interest is known a Dog Control Officer will be in contact with you to discuss the adoption and carry out the appropriate checks, this may include a visit to your property.