Council opens workshops to the public, Merry Christmas, summer tips
Published on 19 December 2025
Meri Kirihimete from elected members and staff
We’re reaching the end of what’s been a busy and challenging year for our district. Our local elections have brought many new faces to the Council table and our Community Boards. We’re looking forward to the year ahead as we continue the collective mahi of building deeper ties with our communities, groups and iwi partners.
For those in the community who work to take care of those fortunate enough to have a break over the holidays, thank you for everything you do.
Have a safe and happy holiday.
This is our final Weekly Wrap-Up for 2025. We'll resume in January 2026, but in the meantime we'll continue to keep you updated on the information you need on our TCDC website, social media and email newsletters (subscribe at www.tcdc.govt.nz/subscribe).
Open Council workshops to be the norm
At its meeting this week, our Council voted for workshops to be open to the public, in-person and online with a video recording made available as soon as possible after the workshop. Workshop dates and topics will be published in advance, and notes on what was discussed published on our Council website afterwards. This reverses a decision made in June 2024 to continue to hold closed workshops.
In October 2023 the Chief Ombudsman issued the Open for Business report, which recommended councils adopt an ‘open by default’ approach for workshops, publishing records and considering live streaming or recording sessions. The report highlighted the importance of transparency in local government in order to promote accountability, public participation, and trust.
Workshops are an opportunity for elected members to receive briefings from staff and explore issues. They are not decision-making forums. Workshops may still be held in public-excluded when required for commercial sensitivity, for example where decisions may result in a competitive tendering process and we want to ensure the best outcomes for ratepayers. In these cases, workshops will still be notified and an explanation provided as to why public are excluded.
Also at this week’s Council meeting, the meeting schedule for 2026 was approved. For now this is available in the meeting agenda. Council, Community Board and Standing Committee meeting and workshop dates will be uploaded to our website soon at www.tcdc.govt.nz/meetings.
Our Council this week voted to continue progressing an internal business unit for water services as its primary option under the Local Water Done Well reform.
Council chose to also continue exploring a sub-regional water services organisation (WSO) with Tauranga City Council and Western Bay of Plenty District Council and remain open to other WSO options as it moves forward.
Pursuing a partnership with nearby councils under the LWDW reform was our Council’s preferred option, which aligned with community feedback earlier this year. However, a change in direction from potential partners meant that our Council to change course to its second preferred option of progressing an in-house business unit instead.
At the meeting, our Council approved an updated operating expenditure budget of $234,000 for the 2025/26 year to help with implementation of our Water Services Delivery Plan. This figure is a reduction from the $638,400 initially forecast for the partnership model.
Restricted fire season declared for the Coromandel
Fire and Emergency New Zealand has moved Thames-Coromandel to a restricted fire season at 9am on Tuesday 16 December, until further notice.
A restricted fire season means a permit is required to light an open-air fire.
The restricted fire season extends throughout the entire district.
Announcing the fire season change, Acting District Manager Matt Cook says the recent warm and dry weather means the fire risk across the region has increased.
"If you are planning on lighting an open-air fire, please head to www.checkitsalright.nz and apply for a fire permit," Matt Cook says.
"If you don’t have internet access you can phone 0800 658 628 to apply for a permit."
He says the website also provides information on how to light open-air fires more safely.
Visit now
Water restrictions this summer
It’s summertime in the Coromandel and it’s time to stay cool, relax and have fun.
But while you’re washing the boat or filling the pool, Thames-Coromandel District Council is asking you to be careful with water use.
With more visitors and dry weather, the pressure on council’s water supply systems increases.
From time to time, council may need to put in place water restrictions to make sure there’s enough for everybody, with a reserve left for firefighting – just in case.
Every drop counts.
Water restrictions will be announced on this station, the TCDC website and the council’s Facebook page
Check out water conservation tips on the TCDC website – www.tcdc.govt.nz/savewater
Stay up to date on our website
Summer peak rubbish and recycling
Our summer peak period for kerbside collections is coming up – from Monday 22 December to Friday 6 February. During this time, areas with high visitor numbers – the east coast and Coromandel Town and north – will have weekly collections of all four bins: rubbish, recycling, food scraps and glass, usually on the normal collection day.
Our contractors will be working hard over the holiday period to keep our beautiful peninsula free of rubbish. The only days they aren’t working are Christmas Day and New Year’s Day On those public holidays and the days following, collections will take place a day later.
It’s all in our calendars which you can download online and print off. For printed copies, visit your nearest Council office, transfer station or visitor information centre.
Our refuse and recycling transfer stations are open every day except Christmas Day and New Year’s Day: www.tcdc.govt.nz/rts
Check out your bin day
2025/26 cemetery processing date
Over the 2025/26 holiday season, our team and contractors will be taking a well-earned break. We’ll still be providing a restricted cemetery service but there will be some changes to the processing times for interment applications during the Christmas and New Year period.
View our processing dates
Hāhei and Wharekaho water and wastewater extensions
We’re super grateful to all of those individuals who took the time to join us at our drop-in sessions about our plans to extend the water and wastewater networks in your communities. We’ve heard what you have to say and we’re taking this on board.
We’ve heard what you have to say and we’re taking this on board. Based on your comments, we have extended the period for feedback to 27 February 2026 to give you plenty of time to review and comment on the information provided. Please note that there won’t be any more drop-in sessions held in the near future, but we will reconnect with you in the New Year.
For now, we wish you all a safe and fun-filled holiday season.
Find out more about the projects:
New Coromandel Tracks and Trails guide
Re-boot your summer. Rediscover the beauty of the Coromandel Peninsula on foot, by bike or with a four-legged friend.
Our brand new digital Coromandel Tracks and Trails Guide makes outdoor adventures easier than ever. Explore the Coromandel your way through interactive maps grouped by area, or by your sole choice – hiking boot, sneaker, jandal, stiletto, pedal, paw or hoof.
It’s packed with hikes with spectacular views; short, easy town walks exploring art and culture; paths to gorgeous swimming spots; mountain biking trails and dog walking or horse riding routes. Discover your sole’s next adventure.
Check it out now
Water hyacinth alert
Biosecurity New Zealand is asking gardeners and pond and aquarium owners to be on the alert for the invasive pest, freshwater water hyacinth, which poses a serious threat to our waterways.
If you spot any, please contact Biosecurity New Zealand immediately on freephone 0800 80 99 66 or online at https://report.mpi.govt.nz/pest/ and they will safely dispose of it, free of charge.
Do not put it in your kerbside collections or dispose of it at refuse and recycling transfer stations. It is not green waste; it’s a biosecurity hazard and requires special, safe disposal.
Find out more about water hyacinth