Community catch-up sessions: let’s kōrero on key issues
Published on 09 April 2025
Join us at a community catch-up session in your ward for an informal chat.
It’s an important time for decision-making at Council. We have three major consultations happening now or starting soon:
-
Local Waters Done Well – the future of water services in our district
-
Annual Plan – proposed changes to summer kerbside collections
-
Rating Review – help to shape the future of rating in our district
-
Plus, local elections are also coming up this year and we're keen to make sure you're enrolled to vote.
Our knowledgeable staff will be there to answer your questions, explain what these consultations mean for you, and help you share your feedback. If you’re unsure how to have your say, we can also guide you through the simple process.
There’s no formal presentation—just an opportunity to drop in at a time that suits you, ask questions, and be part of the conversation.
Your voice matters. Come and have your say.
The key issues
Local Waters Done Well: Have your say from April 15 to May 15
Local Waters Done Well is a Government-mandated reform that will change how drinking water, stormwater, and wastewater services are managed. Change is coming, but you can help shape what it looks like.
We’re consulting on two options:
-
Option 1 – Keep water services in-house under Council management, with finances separated from other services.
-
Option 2 – Join forces with neighbouring councils through a council-controlled organisation.
Your water will still be delivered, but how it's managed will impact ratepayers now and in the future. We've weighed the pros and cons—now we need your input.
Find out more about Local Water Done Well
Rating Review 2025: Give us your feedback from 10 April to 12 May
We’re reviewing our rating system to make it fairer, more transparent, and better suited to our district’s needs. This is your chance to help shape how rates are calculated.
We’re proposing:
-
Switching from land value to capital value for general rates, aligning with most councils in New Zealand.
-
Adjusting targeted rates for Rubbish and Recycling, and District Transportation and Building Control.
-
Revisiting how second dwellings are rated.
This isn’t about collecting more rates—it’s about ensuring they’re shared more fairly. Let us know what you think.
Find out more about the Rating Review
Proposed changes to summer kerbside collections - Have your say from 1 April to 29 April
We’re proposing to reduce summer rubbish and glass collections on the East Coast to once a week. This keeps collections more frequent than the rest of the year but less frequent than before.
What would change?
-
Rubbish and glass would be collected once a week during peak summer, matching the recycling schedule.
-
Off-peak collections would stay the same.
While this change affects the East Coast, all wards would benefit from cost savings, with ratepayers saving an average of $33. Eastern communities would save even more.
Please note that staff representing this consultation will only be attending community catch-ups in Whangamatā, Whitianga, and Tairua-Pāuanui.
Find out more about these proposed changes
Local Elections 2025 – Are You Ready?
Local elections are coming this October, giving you the chance to shape the future of Thames-Coromandel. You can stand as a candidate for Council or Community Board, or vote for the person who best represents your interests—but you must be enrolled.
To enrol, you must be:
If you’re on the electoral roll, you can vote in both central and local elections. To vote for a Māori ward candidate, you must be on the Māori electoral roll.
Check, update, or enrol now at vote.nz.
Find out more about local elections