Stormwater upgrades, Annual Plan, upcoming events and more

What’s coming to your back yard?  

At the end of June, our Council adopted the Annual Plan for 2025/26, setting our project priorities and budgets.

We’re mostly sticking to the course set in our Long Term Plan but we had to make a few tweaks because of unavoidable cost increases and new government reforms, especially to water services. We kept the average rates increase to the 7.7% forecast in the Long Term Plan and we raised some of our fees and charges to keep up with inflation or increases in the cost of delivering some services. 

Want to find out more? 

What’s planned in your neighbourhood New fees and charges 

Check your 2025/26 property rates

Stormwater upgrade set to begin on Hetherington Road, Whangamatā

Pictured are representatives from Ngāti Pu, Ngaati Whananga, Ngāti Hako, Ngāti Tamatera and Ngāti Maru, alongside Council Contractors Schick Civil Construction, Metis Consultants and our Council representatives. 

Work is about to begin on a major stormwater upgrade along Hetherington Road in Whangamatā, as part of our Council’s commitment to long-term resilience and infrastructure improvement.

To mark the start of this significant project, our Council and our contractors, Schick Civil Construction, were joined by local Mana Whenua for an opening karakia and site blessing at dawn on Wednesday 9 July. Following the ceremony, the group gathered back at the office for introductions, a kōrero on the cultural history of the area and a project briefing from the team.

The Hetherington Road stormwater reticulation upgrade is part of our six-year programme to improve performance of the stormwater network and mitigate flooding.

Construction work is scheduled to begin on Monday 21 July and expected to be completed by the end of October 2025. See more at the link below.

Read more

Planned water shutdown for Parawai, Thames 

To complete connection works as part of the watermain upgrade in Parawai, Thames, a temporary shutdown of the water supply will be required on Tuesday 15 July from 9am-3pm, affecting the following addresses: 

• 501 – 604 Parawai Road 
• 101 The Booms Avenue 
• All of Abingdon Place 
• Thames Racecourse 

A water tanker will be available at the entrance to the Thames Racecourse during the shutdown, providing clean drinking water for residents. 

We appreciate your patience and understanding as we work to improve your water infrastructure. If you have any questions or concerns during the course of this project, please contact Hydra-Care (NZ) Ltd on (07) 868 1129.  

Thank you for your cooperation. 

Te Kooti Whenua Māori information seminars

Learn how to navigate the Māori Land Court process, complete applications, and understand trusts with Pae Manawa Maria Graham. 

Seminar Dates & Topics: 
25 July: Ahu Whenua Trust Setup & Trustee Duties 
26 September: Trust Applications & Trustee Duties 

Time: 9:30am – 12:30pm 

Location: Council Chambers, TCDC, 515 Mackay Street, Thames 

Book your spot 

Email: frank.thorne@tcdc.govt.nz 
Phone: 07 868 0336 
Or email: waikakara.teopaipa@tcdc.govt.nz

Coromandel ferry project – Drop in session

Do you have an interest in seeing a ferry service return to Coromandel?

The Coromandel Colville Business Association (CCBA) would like to hear from you. They are hosting a drop in session as just one way you can share your thoughts and help them show any potential operators there is genuine demand for a ferry.

When: Thursday 17 July, 10am - 2pm
Where: Combined Clubrooms, 190 Woollams Ave Coromandel

Drop in anytime and share:

• Your interest in a ferry service (personal, business)
• How a ferry service could work (land side logistics, ferry frequency)
• Other questions to ask

If you can’t make it but would like to share your initial thoughts please email Jeni at ccbachair@gmail.com.

Look out for more about the ferry project at the links below.

CCBA Facebook CCBA Website

School holidays at Thames-Coromandel District Libraries

You know you’re doing something right when holiday makers delay their travel so they can make it to one more activity at the library! 

We’ve had an absolute blast these school holidays at our three District Libraries. It’s been awesome to see plenty of new faces taking part in our craft activities, celebrating our beaches and sea life around the peninsula. We’ve made our own treasure chests, jellyfish snow globes, light-up angler fish and much more!  

Our SpongeBob escape room at Thames Library saw nearly 100 teams hunt for clues – our fastest team escaped in just over 20 minutes! 

The fun isn’t over at Mercury Bay Library as our winter reading challenge continues until next Friday 18 July. There’s still time to get in the draw to win some awesome prizes!  

Find out more

Rally of Coromandel is back

The Rally of Coromandel returns as part of the New Zealand Rally Championship, with racing on Saturday 23 August and a Street Party kicking off festivities on Friday evening in Whitianga.

There’ll be rally stages across iconic Coromandel roads and a special spectator stage, plus a chance to see the action up close at Rally HQ at Mercury Bay Sports Park.

A colouring competition is open to local primary school students, winners will ride in a rally car!

Community groups keen to run food stalls at the event can email Kirstin.Scarrott@tcdc.govt.nz.

Note: Road closures will be in place on 22-23 August.

Find out more

Toilet upgrade coming to Cooks Beach

From Tuesday 15 July, we’ll be installing two brand-new toilet blocks at Cooks Beach Central and Pūrangi Reserve.

New toilets are being installed to replace outdated facilities that are no longer fit for purpose.

These toilets have been built off-site, so installation will be quicker and smoother. The work will take about two weeks and includes removal of the old toilets.

While the work is happening, the closest public toilets will be at Cooks Beach West.

These will be active construction zones and fenced off. For your safety and to support our contractors, please stay clear of the work areas and equipment.

Thanks for your patience as we continue to improve local facilities.

It’s nearly 31 July, meaning there's just one month left to register your dog before penalties apply.

Avoid the queue, renew your registration online via our Thames-Coromandel District Council website at tcdc.govt.nz/dogs, or pop into one of our Council offices.

As a friendly reminder, don’t let your dog wander or cause a nuisance by barking or fouling.

• Keep your dog on a lead in public spaces where required
• Pick up after your dog
• Be mindful of barking, especially during quiet hours

If you’re having problems registering on your cell phone, please try again using a PC or laptop. We’ve got our computer company working on solving the problem. Thanks for your patience.

Find out more

Whitianga Refuse and Recycling Transfer Station 

On Monday 21 July, Whitianga Refuse and Recycling Transfer Station will open at 10am (instead of 8.30am) to fix repairs to the road. The work is weather dependent – if the date changes we will let you know on our Facebook page. Thank you for your understanding. 

Mautohe Cathedral Cove Community Feedback Survey

Our friends at the Department of Conservation want to hear from you! 

Help inform planning, access and visitor experience improvements at Mautohe Cathedral Cove. 

The survey closes on Tuesday 15 July. 

If you're curious to learn more about access, safety and visitor management at Mautohe Cathedral Cove, check out the information boards at the link below. 

Share your thoughts Information boards

Calling all artist for this year's Artbeat Spring Festival