Local government reform, volunteer week, Community Board news
Published on 12 June 2026
TCDC Working Group weightings for local government reform assessment
The Thames-Coromandel Simplifying Local Government Working Group has released the weightings that will be used to assess and shortlist options for local government reform, marking a significant milestone in the process.
The weightings reflect the Working Group's view of what matters most when considering future governance arrangements for the district and will guide the evaluation of potential options before recommendations are presented to Council.
The agreed weightings are:
- Keeping local voices strong – 30%
- Better value for ratepayers – 25%
- Less bureaucracy and clearer decisions – 25%
- Better planning for the future – 10%
- Making change practical and achievable – 10%
Mayor Peter Revell said the weightings strike a balance between ensuring local communities continue to have a strong voice while also recognising the need for efficient, effective and affordable local government.
"The Government has provided five criteria against which reform options must be assessed. The Working Group has spent considerable time discussing the relative importance of each and has now agreed a framework that will help guide its decision-making," Mayor Revell said.
“The decision-making behind this has also considered early responses to the survey currently open to members of our community,” said the Mayor. “Once the final survey results are collated on Monday we will double check that the weightings we are using align with those provided by the respondents.”
Our initial community survey on the local government reforms is open until Monday 15 June. The results will help the Working Group assess a shortlist of options to take for another round of community feedback before responding to the Government's reform proposals by the 9 August deadline.
More information and take our survey
Mayor Revell pays tribute to aquaculture industry founder on his passing
Thames‑Coromandel District Council extends its sincere condolences to the family of Gilbert James and to the wider marine farming community.
Mayor Peter Revell said Gilbert’s passing would be deeply felt across the district. “Gilbert was a lifelong and dedicated member of the Coromandel, with deep roots here and an unwavering commitment to his community,” Mayor Revell said. “His leadership and vision helped shape an industry that now plays a vital role in our local economy.”
A lifelong resident of Coromandel Town, Gilbert was a pioneering figure in the development of the region’s marine farming sector. In 1981, he convened the first meeting of mussel farming applicants, helping establish the Coromandel Marine Farmers Association, which he chaired for more than 40 years.
“Gilbert brought people together at a critical time and laid the foundations for a thriving aquaculture industry,” Mayor Revell said. “His determination and collaborative approach set a standard that continues to benefit the Coromandel today.”
Through his work, Gilbert played a significant role in growing aquaculture into a key pillar of the district’s economy. His contributions extended beyond his own successful business, Gold Ridge Marine Farms, to regional and national leadership, including service on the Mussel Industry Advisory Council and as a founding director of Aquaculture New Zealand.
“His influence reached well beyond our district,” Mayor Revell added. “He was a respected voice nationally, always advocating strongly for the marine farming community and its future.”
Gilbert’s commitment to his community and industry was recognised by our Council with a Community Service Award in 2022 (pictured).
“Gilbert’s passion, advocacy and generosity of spirit leave a lasting legacy,” Mayor Revell said. “He will be remembered with great respect and gratitude for everything he contributed to the prosperity of the Coromandel and New Zealand’s aquaculture sector.”
Water metering project
An Expressions of Interest process has been released on the Government’s electronic tender service platform to test the market for suppliers able to deliver a district-wide smart water metering solution. A key focus of this work is the installation of meters for the approximately 8,000 connections across the district that are not yet metered.
Interested parties have four weeks (until 8 July) to submit their Expressions of Interest. The next stage is likely to involve shortlisting suppliers and inviting them to submit full proposals.
Find out more here
New online boat ramp system from July
Our Council is introducing a new online boat ramp launch system, delivered in partnership with Stellar - a trusted provider of parking and boat ramp solutions across New Zealand.
We’re starting with the introduction of vPermit from 1 July 2026, a user-friendly self-service platform.
Users will need to scan the QR code on the sign at the boat ramp to get started. Permits will be linked to your launching vehicle licence plate. Existing annual permits will remain valid until expiry.
Not online or need assistance? Get in touch or visit one of our Council customer service centres. Our team can help you purchase and manage your pass.
Community Board meetings
Coromandel-Colville Community Board - 2 June
In its public forum this week, the board heard a presentation from a representative of the Upper Coromandel Forest & Bird Society to support a coastal birdmapping project across the Coromandel-Colville ward.
It received the 'Request for Coromandel-Colville Community Board Discretionary Funds' report and made the following allocations from its remaining 2025/26 discretionary funds, totalling $39,525:
- $2,500 to Coromandel Community Patrol, for operating costs
- $3,000 to Coromandel Community Library, for volunteer training
- $1,092 to Colville Bay Preschool, for fire safety
- $3,000 to Spirit of Coromandel Trust, for track work and signage
- $1,501.60 to Thrive Trust, to update and reprint heritage brochures
- $5,000 to Upper Coromandel Forest & Bird Society, for shorebird data collection across the ward
- $2,500 to Coromandel Independent Living Trust, for art equipment and materials for the community programme Te Mana Tangata
- $1,932 to Te Ranga Wairua, for protective clothing for volunteers
- $3,500 to Coromandel Colville Business Association, for consenting costs to install a handcrafted solar clock donated to the community by the late Cyril Strongman
- $5,000 to Harataunga Marae Trust, for tree removal to protect an outdoor power unit and work area
- $7,000 to Harataunga Tapui, for a feasibility study on the Harataunga Walkway Project - a walking and cycling trail spanning multiple Māori land blocks and DOC land
- $1,000 to Coromandel School of Mines & Museum, for directional signage.
Mercury Bay Community Board - 3 June
The board heard from several speakers about community resilience and council engagement. Key messages included the importance of supporting local emergency response capability, concerns about Council’s engagement and decision-making, plus strong advocacy for maintaining local autonomy instead of centralised control (in light of the recently adopted Community Board Accord).
A total of $13,266.75 (inc. GST) in discretionary funding was approved for four successful applicants.
These were:
- $5807 to Whitianga Oceans Festival to cover hiring portable toilets
- $1207.50 to Whangapoua Community Association to go towards the replacement of essential surf lifesaving equipment and signage no longer fit for purpose
- $4350 to Whangapoua-Te Rerenga Emergency Response Group towards emergency response equipment such as high visibility apparel, tablets, spotlights plus batteries and chargers
- $1902.25 to Mercury Bay Performing Arts Incorporated to cover the balance remaining for blackout theatre curtains.
The board raised concerns about its Action Schedule, asking for better insight into each task’s status. Improved visibility of progress for key tasks was requested. Staff confirmed an amended Action Schedule is being worked on and this improved Action Schedule - with greater transparency into each action’s status - will be presented at the board’s next and subsequent meetings.
Tairua-Pāuanui Community Board - 8 June
The board considered future funding approaches for coastal protection in Tairua, highlighting the need for clear community engagement, managing expectations and ensuring equitable funding decisions through upcoming Long Term Plan discussions.
The board recommended extending ‘No Stopping’ parking restrictions along The Esplanade in Tairua to improve safety and traffic flow, particularly during peak periods. While this may reduce parking availability, it is intended as an initial step ahead of a broader parking review.
Several applications for licences to occupy council road reserve were supported, including retaining walls at 27 Tairua Terrace and 3 Motuhoa Road, and a carport at 61 Motuhoa Road, all subject to standard conditions and applicant-funded costs.
A total of $9,628 in discretionary funding was approved for four groups:
- $1,253 to Pāuanui Surf Life Saving Club (wastewater charges)
- $1,000 to Tairua Bowling Club (resource consent fees)
- $4,300 to Pāuanui Focus (frisbee golf nets)
- $3,075 to Predator Free Pāuanui (pest control traps).
Thames Community Board - 10 June
Funding decisions
A total of $9,423 of discretionary funding was allocated to the following initiatives:
- $2,379 for Kiaido Ryu Karate to buy equipment
- $1,915 for Thames Sea Scouts to buy eight tents
- $1,822 for Thames Gymsports to buy equipment
- $1,368 for Thames Junior Rugby for equipment
- $896 for Thames Amateur Swimming to buy coaches’ jackets
- $593 for Thames Football Club to buy footballs
- $450 for St James Church to repaint visitor signs (yellow interpretation signs).
Thames youth action
A delegation of young people from T-RAP (Thames Rangatahi Advisory Panel) met with the Board to outline their invidividual aims for making Thames a youth-friendly town.
Key plans include a day of youth suicide prevention workshops with a nationally-known advocate Jase Williams which the board contributed funding towards. Different sessions on Wednesday 24 June will be aimed at organisations and individuals who support young people.
For more information about these events
New Te Mātā road named
A private right-of-way at a new subdivision in Te Mātā, at 848A Thames Coast Road, was named Buckland Lane, after the trust that completed the subdivision.
Whangamatā Community Board - 9 June
The board reviewed a request for retrospective funding to support lighting works already completed at Williamson Park and endorsed $44,727.32 from the Whangamatā Special Reserve – Land Subdivision account.
It also considered applications for financial support through its Discretionary Fund. A total of $21,454 was allocated to the following community groups:
- $750: Arts Collective Whangamatā – accounting fees
- $2,464: Whangamatā Harbour Care – administration expenses
- $1,000: Whangamatā Country and Variety Music Club – speaker system
- $7,040: Moana House – electrical amenities for two staff cottages
- $9,000: Whangamatā Football Club – equipment start-up expenses
- $1,200: Whangamatā Community Marae and Wellbeing Hub – Matariki expenses.
Project and roading updates
Hannaford’s Wharf, Coromandel Town: We’re carrying out essential maintenance work from Monday 15 June to Wednesday 17 June. The wharf will be closed to the public.
Sailors Grave Road, Pumpkin Hill, Tairua: Sections of damaged road will be repaired from Monday 15 June to Thursday 18 June, between 8am and 4pm (weather dependent). The road will be closed to traffic for 50 minutes each hour, then briefly reopened for 10 minutes to let vehicles through.
Irishtown Road, Thames: New underground power lines and equipment will be installed on Thursday 18 June between 6am to 7pm (weather dependent). During this time, the road will be closed, but residents will still be able to access their properties, with some minor delays expected.
Wharf Road, Colville: Temporary closures will be in place Tuesday 26 May to Saturday 25 July to allow essential road works to be completed. From 7am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, the road will be closed for up to 50 minutes each hour, reopening for 10 minutes on the hour.
Further details on roading here
Entries open for the 2026 Claymark Hauraki Coromandel Business Awards
With seven award categories and two nomination categories, there are opportunities to showcase innovation, leadership, customer service, sustainability and business excellence.
The awards categories:
- Community Contribution
- Customer Experience
- Employer Excellence
- Marketing and Digital Edge
- New and Emerging
- Excellence in Sustainability
- Māori Business Excellence
Public nominated awards:
- Service to Business
- People's Choice Thames Coromandel
- People's Choice Hauraki
Entries and nominations close July 31, 2026
Apply or nominate now
Adapting to Change business workshop
The business environment is constantly evolving - from changing customer behaviour and rising costs to economic uncertainty and market disruption. The Adapting to Change workshop has been designed to help NZ business owners and teams build the confidence, resilience and agility needed to navigate change successfully.
In this free workshop you’ll learn practical tools and frameworks to help you assess your current business position, identify risks and opportunities, and develop strategies for adapting in uncertain times. Whether you’re looking to future-proof your business, strengthen your planning or improve your ability to pivot when needed, this workshop will help you strengthen your business and prepare for change.
- Tuesday 23 June, 9am - 12pm, Whitianga
Register now
Thames youth resilience workshops
Nationally renowned youth resilience advocate Jase Williams is leading workshops in Thames aimed at equipping adults to support young people to grow in confidence and self-expression.
- Wednesday 24 June 9.30-12.30pm for people working with rangatahi
- Wednesday 24 June 6pm – 7.30pm for parents, whānau, grandparents, aunties, uncles, caregivers
For more information