Kiingi Tūheitia passes away
Kua hinga te tōtara i te wao nui a Tāne
The tōtara tree has fallen in the great forest of Tāne.
Today te ao Māori grieves the loss of Kiingi Tūheitia Pootatau Te Wherowhero VII, who passed peacefully this morning. His passing comes just days after celebrating the 18th year of his coronation at Tuurangawaewae Marae.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the whānau, the tribes of Tainui waka and followers of the Māori King Movement during this time.
Have your say on two bylaws
You’ve got just over a week to get your feedback on our proposals for a new Parking Bylaw and for changes to our Traffic Bylaw. Follow the links below to find out what’s proposed and how to give your feedback.
Parking Bylaw
Find out more about the proposed bylaw and how to give your feedback.
Have your say
Traffic Bylaw
Find out more about the proposed changes to the bylaw and how to give your feedback below.
Have your say
Clearing Up coastal misconceptions
Recent discussions in our community have brought to light a crucial issue: the role of plants in coastal dune restoration. There has been a lot of online debate about the role of non-native flowers like daisies, so we spoke to environmental experts and respected conservationists who stress that this approach could be counterproductive.
While non-native plants might be visually appealing, they do not offer the same ecological benefits as native species. In fact, they can disrupt the delicate balance of coastal ecosystems, making it harder for native plants and animals to survive.
The Waikato Regional Council (WRC) emphasises the importance of planting native grasses like Spinifex and pīngao, which are specifically adapted to thrive in coastal environments. These plants are essential for stabilising the dunes, allowing dunes to repair after erosion events, and providing critical habitats for native fauna, including lizards.
Jacob Dexter, Biodiversity Sites Lead at WRC, highlighted the need to create and maintain habitats for native species in backdune areas. “We encourage coastal communities to ‘think like a skink’ and support efforts to rewild these areas,” Dexter said. “Native lizards and other fauna have specific habitat needs that non-native plants simply can’t provide.”
Our Council is collaborating with Coastcare volunteer groups to enhance backdune areas by planting native species that provide food and shelter for local wildlife. These efforts are part of a broader strategy to ensure that New Zealand’s coastal fauna not only survive but thrive.
As the community continues to discuss the future of our district’s dunes, it’s essential to focus on the importance of native plants. By doing so, the community can protect its unique coastal environment for generations to come.
Waste-free workshops
Over 140 people from throughout the district have taken part in waste minimisation workshops this week in Whangamatā, Whitianga and Thames, hosted by our Council and presented by nationally renowned waste educator Kate Fenwick from ‘Waste-Ed with Kate’.
The popular evening sessions focused on tackling food waste – with plenty of practical tips and guidance on how to reduce the amount of food thrown away. These informative sessions were fun and lively with lots of humour. Many participants said they went away inspired to put the useful tips into practice.
The week also featured in-person coffee-group catch-ups in the three towns for people enrolled in an online course on cloth nappies and reducing waste as a parent, with starter packs of cloth nappies distributed.
Education sessions on waste-free period products were also held at Coromandel Area School, Mercury Bay Area School, Thames High School and Whangamatā Area School. These were very well received by students and staff alike. Students who attended the sessions were provided with free reusable products to take home and try.
“The week was an excellent illustration of our Council’s commitment to providing education to our communities on waste minimisation,” said Anna Stevens, our Council’s Solid Waste Manager. “It was great to engage with course attendees and provide support and tips to help them reduce their household waste.”
For anyone wanting to find out more about cloth nappies, the online course can be taken at any time, and the starter pack of cloth nappies be sent to enrolees or used as a gift to a new or soon-to-be parent.
Register for the cloth nappies course
Find out more
Rates notices coming late September
Notices for the first instalment of rates for the 2024/25 financial year are being sent from about 15 September, with payment due by 15 October.
Our online Rating Information Database (RID) is now available for you to check the rates for your property.
Did you know you can pay by direct debit?
We 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.
download the direct debit form from our website:
Click here
Moved recently? Update your address with us
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 – email customer.services@tcdc.govt.nz
Update your address
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:
-
Environmental Health Officer
Responsible for registration and verification of food business, Food Safety Officer duties, inspection of premises registered under the Health Act 1956, assessing and investigating general health nuisances and more.
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
Temporary rubbish/recycling drop-off closure Tairua
The all-hours/permanent drop-off section of The Tairua Refuse and Recycling Station will be closed for three days next week while contractors carry out work around the area.
The all-hours drop-off facility will be closed to the public during the day on: Tuesday 3 September to Thursday 5 September. Please note that on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings the drop-off facility will be available for use.
We apologise for any inconvenience and thank you for your patience.
The work is weather dependent. If any dates change, we’ll update you.
Earthworks at Wharekaho
Our Council is carrying out earthwork and landscaping at Wharekaho – Winiata Street on Monday 2 September (weather permitting).
This work is essential to flatten the area affected by water runoff, manage stormwater, and prepare for planting/revegetation. We expect to complete the earthworks on the same day, with planting scheduled to follow later in the week.
Please be aware that machinery will be in operation. We kindly ask the public to use the stairs on the side or navigate around the grass reserve. Thank you for your patience and understanding.
Artbeat launch party and CoroCine kickoff = Party
Get your party shoes on for the launch of the coromandal artbeat spring festival and the first ever CoroCine film festival next Friday 6 September.
The party kicks off at Mercury Bay Twin Cinemas in Whitianga, with a screening of the opening night movie for CoroCine – The Znail Gang, then over to the Monkey House for shenanigans at the afterparty.
The fun starts at 6.30pm and goes till late, so don’t miss out. As part of Creative Coromandel’s ‘umbrella’ artbeat spring festival, the party will kick off several months of arty events around the Coromandel, from local films and life drawing classes to the iconic Steampunk The Thames.
Creative Coromandel came out of our Council's arts strategy in order to drive the strategy's objective of furthering the arts in the Coromandel. It has elected member representation on its board of trustees and distributes funding from Creative New Zealand under the Creative Communities Scheme.
“The idea is for people to map trips around the peninsula and plan a creative - and scenic – journey to meet the amazing artists who live in the Coromandel Hauraki rohe. There’ll be something to inspire and interest everyone,” says Creative Coromandel chairperson, Fiona Cameron.
Tickets for the launch party are $25 and you can buy them online below.
Buy your launch party tickets here
Register your free creative event here
Check out the artbeat festival programme
Bring your community arts project to life
If you’re looking for help to bring your community arts project to life, don’t miss your chance to apply for funding from the Creative Communities Scheme. Applications close next Friday 6 September.
The scheme is supported by Creative New Zealand, and encourages young people and communities to get involved in creative activities.
You can apply and check out eligibility criteria below.
Find out more and download the application form here
Community Conversation: Decade of Healthy Ageing
Older people in the Thames-Coromandel area are invited to participate in a ‘Community Conversations’ workshop to discuss what population ageing might mean for you and the local community in the coming years.
The event will be held on Wednesday 11 September at the Thames War Memorial Civic Centre Conference Room from 10am to 12pm.
The UN Decade of Healthy Ageing is currently underway, and the Thames event is the first in a series of Community Conversations sessions to be held around the country.
It’s an initiative of the Aotearoa New Zealand National Forum for the Decade of Healthy Ageing | He Oranga Kaumātua, He Oranga Tangata, a collaboration of leading organisations that provide services for and advocate on behalf of older people and their families/whānau.
For more information contact:
decadecommunityconversations@selwynfoundation.org.nz
If you'd like to attend, please send an RSVP to isla.anderson@tcdc.govt.nz
Find out more
We’re after photos that show the spirit of people in the Coromandel – their resilience and self-help spirit.
Prizes of $100, $50 and $25 Prezzy cards are on offer for the three best photographs.