Representation Review Initial Proposal, Long Term Plan and more
Published on 05 July 2024
Have a say on our Representation Review Initial Proposal
Following our Council's decision on 31 October 2023 to establish at least one Māori Ward, we began a review of representation for the 2025 local election. This process is called a Representation Review and it will come into effect for our October 2025 local body elections.
The preliminary feedback in March 2024 was the first part of a process seeking community input on representation. Our Council has considered the input received from that survey, explored options, and agreed to an initial proposal in June. We are keen to hear from our communities to understand how you feel about our initial proposal.
Public feedback is now open until Friday 2 August.
We're asking for your thoughts on our initial proposal for:
- an additional councillor to reflect the introduction of a Māori Ward; and
- a minor boundary change between the South East General Ward and Thames General Ward, and the Tairua-Pāuanui Community Board and Thames Community Board to better reflect communities of interest. The area of Neavesville is accessed via one road from the western side of the district. It's considered that the constituents of Neavesville better identify with the Thames General Ward and Thames Community Board area, than with the South East General Ward and Tairua-Pāuanui Community Board area.
What's next?
Read more and give your feedback here Download a hard copy of the feedback form
Slip repairs on Kennedy Bay Rd start next week
Slip repairs will get underway on Monday 8 July and are expected to finish Friday 2 August 2024 at Kennedy Bay Rd, located at 5.8 kilometres from Driving Creek Rd. A retaining wall will be installed alongside the road edge previously damaged by storm events.
During the workday, Monday to Friday, the road will be open for 10 minutes on the hour, every hour between 7:00am and 5:00pm, to allow traffic through.
During the intervening 50 minutes of each hour, the road will be closed to allow construction machinery to carry out specialist works on the narrow section of road where the retaining wall is to be built.
The road will remain open every weekend from 5:00pm Friday to 7:10am Monday.
Temporary Road closure signage detailing the above will be installed on Driving Creek Rd (near start), Kennedy Bay Rd (near Moana Cres) and the Waikawau/Port Charles Rd intersection.
Access through the site for school buses and emergency services will be available.
Check out our 2024-2034 Long Term Plan
Our final 2024-34 Long Term Plan (LTP) has been officially cleared by the auditors this week. The plan shares our decisions on key issues that we consulted on back in March/April, as well as our key strategies and policies, and our financial information.
As part of the process of developing our LTP, we also updated our Schedule of Fees and Charges and the 2024/2025 rates for the new rating year. Please note that rates increases will vary around the district, depending on the type and value of your property, where you live and the services you receive.
From approximately Wednesday 17 July onwards, you can visit our website and check your individual property rates for 2024/25 using our Online Rating Information Database. Please note, the database is currently unavailable while the new updates are completed.
Read our final LTP Read our 2024/25 Schedule of Fees and Charges
Register your dog now
You've got just under a month to register your dog for the 2024-25 period.
First-time registration: Come in to one of our offices and one of our friendly team will help.
Renewal: You can do this all online including payment.
Don’t hesitate – you’ll need to register your dog before 1 August to avoid late payment penalties.
Click here for more information
July School Holidays at our Libraries
Join us for our free school holiday activities at our District Libraries in Mercury Bay, Tairua and Thames.
Sessions take place on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, 10:30am-11:30am. No bookings are required for these sessions - just drop in on the day.
Find out more on our website.
Tairua Library Escape Room
We're excited to bring our popular Escape Room to the east coast of the Coromandel for the first time.
Your team will have 30 minutes to solve the clues and find your way out of the room.
Bookings are essential for this free event - don't miss out.
Contact Tairua Library on 07 864 7960 or e-mail us.
Find out more
Thames Library Escape Room
The Cat in the Hat has lost his hat - all we know is Thing 1 and Thing 2 have something to do with it! Can you find the hat and escape the room?
Your team will have 30 minutes to solve the clues and find your way out of the room. Bookings are essential for this free event - don't miss out. Contact Thames Library on 07 868 6616 or e-mail us.
Find out more
Industry Connect Hauraki - Networking opportunity for Trades, Manufacturing and Agricultural Businesses
Trades, Manufacturing, and Agricultural Businesses from across the Hauraki Coromandel are invited to an industry networking event run by Hauraki District Council and GR8 Job Hauraki.
- Wednesday 17 July
- 5:30pm
- Kerepehi Bowling Club.
Please register at gr8job@hauraki-dc.govt.nz.
Whakanuia Te Paki o Matariki – Celebrate the widespread calm of Pleiades in Hauraki
It has been an awesome week celebrating and acknowledging the significance of Matariki as the new year here in Thames-Coromandel District. There was the National Holiday on Friday, and various activities across the district including bonfires, Matariki flags on Pollen, hāngi, shared lunches, dinners and more.
The key kaupapa has been celebrating whānau and Kotahitanga (family and unity).
There was a Hautapu commemoration (ceremonial fire) at Mātai Whetū Marae, and Te Paki o Matariki tear drop flags erected at all our offices and libraries. We had a presentation from Dr Korohere Ngāpō on Matariki, a Matariki Waiata Session, and shared kai in our Thames, Coromandel and Whitianga Offices.
We learned that Matariki is an annual event, the date slightly changes every year, it is celebrated differently across the country, with varying traditions, and some celebrate other stars, rather than Matariki.
Matariki here in Hauraki is 7 stars, and they are all female. The stars are associated with the elements. It is a time to remember those who have passed, to celebrate the year's harvest, and to forecast the next year's fertility. A time to come together, share our culture and prepare for the new year.
Get your tickets for the Whitianga Oceans Festival
Formerly known as the Whitianga Scallop Festival, the Whitianga Oceans Festival is a celebration of Whitianga seafood and marine heritage, held annually in September.
Set against the stunning backdrop of the Whitianga Harbour, the festival savours a range of New Zealand caught seafood, cooked in a myriad of different ways by renowned chefs, stall holders and local community groups. Complemented with an array of local and New Zealand beverages, festival goers will be entertained by live bands, buskers, seafood cooking classes and more.
Once again, there will be a great line up of celebrity chefs, live music and a collection of entertainment to keep all ages happy.
Secure your tickets to this iconic Coromandel event now
List your event for the Artbeat Spring Festival and be in to win
Creative Coromandel has a great prize package to encourage our creative event organisers out there. Simply list your event for the Coromandel Artbeat Spring Festival before 31 July and you’ll go into the draw to win two VIP tickets for the CoroCine Film Festival Opening Night and the grand Coromandel Artbeat Lauch Party, plus accommodation and dinner for two.
So don’t be shy, get your creative juices flowing and enter that event you’ve been thinking about today. It’s free and you’ve got nothing to lose.
Get listed Read Creative Coromandel’s July pānui
Find out more about the Coromandel Artbeat Spring Festival
Coromandel-Colville Community Board goes to town
Members of the Coromandel-Colville Community Board took a tour of local spots around Coromandel town and its surrounds on Tuesday, catching up on the latest at Hannafords Wharf, Te Ariki Tahi Sugarloaf Wharf and Jacks Point boat ramp.
The Board also paid visits to Coromandel wastewater treatment plant for an educational tour, and Ride Coromandel Bike Park, before finishing the day at historic Buffalo Cemetery.
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:
• Administrative Support - Roading
• Service Desk Analyst
• Environmental Health Officer
• Development Engineer
• Policy Advisor x 2
• Water Services Field Representative
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
Lost, Found and Adoptable Dogs
Found dogs
If you are own these dogs, or know who owns them - please contact us at 07 868 0200.
Adoptable dog of the week
Find out more
