Council amalgamation delay, community satisfaction survey and more

Published on 25 September 2026

Local government amalgamation 

While Government has hit pause on its announcement of decisions for local councils merger proposals until after the election, Thames-Coromandel District Council says that some form of amalgamation is a reality. 

Council will continue to work in the best interests of the people of Thames-Coromandel District and will keep advocating for our people. 

As soon as we know more, we'll let you know. In the meantime, we'll keep delivering our normal services.

Read more here

Community satisfaction survey 

The results of our community satisfaction survey for 2025-6 are out, providing Council with a clear steer on what our ratepayers and residents want to see.

Find out more

Daylight saving RTS hours 

Daylight saving starts this Sunday, 27 September, and Refuse and Recycling Transfer Stations (RTS) across the district will move to daylight saving operating hours of 8.30am to 5.30pm. 

Please note that Coromandel Town, Matarangi and Pāuanui RTS will only operate these hours until Sunday 4 October. 

From Monday 5 October, these three transfer stations will move to new operating hours of: 10am to 3pm, seven days a week. 

The change follows consultation through the Annual Plan process and is intended to improve the cost-efficiency of operating the district's least-used transfer stations. 

Tairua, Thames, Whangamatā and Whitianga RTS will continue to operate standard daylight-saving hours of 8.30am to 5.30pm. 

All transfer stations will remain open seven days a week, including most public holidays.

Find out more about RTSs

Batteries don't belong in kerbside bins 

During kerbside collections this week, material inside a recycling truck ignited. Thankfully, the driver identified the issue early and responded quickly, following WM's safety procedures. With support from WM operational staff and Council teams, the situation was managed safely, and the affected material was unloaded in a controlled environment. We acknowledge the professionalism and quick actions of the WM driver and operations staff in managing the incident safely.

It is suspected the incident was caused by a battery that had been placed in a kerbside recycling bin. While the cause has not been confirmed, a battery is considered the most likely source of ignition based on the circumstances.

As a result, the entire truckload of recycling can no longer be processed and must now be sent to landfill, meaning valuable recyclable material has been lost.

Batteries can be extremely dangerous when damaged or crushed. They can rupture, leak corrosive chemicals, or generate sparks that may ignite surrounding materials. Fires caused by incorrectly disposed batteries are an increasing issue for waste and recycling operators both in New Zealand and around the world. Lithium batteries, commonly found in mobile phones, laptops, vapes, power tools, toys and other household items, pose a particular risk when placed in rubbish or recycling bins.

Please help keep our community and staff safe

Never place batteries, or items containing batteries, in your kerbside rubbish or recycling bins, or in the rubbish pit at the refuse and recycling transfer station (RTS). Doing so puts collection crews, transfer station staff, vehicles, equipment and the wider community at risk.

Dispose of batteries safely

Batteries can be dropped off FREE of charge at the hazardous waste disposal area of your local RTS for safe disposal. I

Together, we can help prevent fires, protect our workers, and keep recyclable materials out of landfill.

If you’re unsure about how to dispose of an item, check our website.

Whitianga Wharf reopens, new pontoon installed 

Whitianga Wharf is now open to the public again. 

Earlier this month, the southern side of the wharf was closed while work to install the pontoon was carried out. During this time,  the ferry service had to use an alternative temporary berth on the northern side of the wharf and charter boat operators used the marina. The berth has now been removed, and people can use the new pontoon where the old one used to be. 

Some final work will be done over the next couple of weeks, but this is not expected to create any significant disruption. Our Council would like to thank the local community and charter boat operators, including the ferry and their passengers especially, for their co-operation and patience during this time. 

Whangamatā dune planting 

Join Coastcare’s planting events in Whangamatā at 10am Saturday 26 September (Access 4 Hunt Rd) and Wednesday 7 October (Access 11 Pipi Rd).

Holes will be dug beforehand – you’ll be planting not digging. Wear covered shoes and bring a drink bottle. Equipment will be provided. Join us for a cuppa afterwards

For more email info@whangadunes.org.nz

Summary of SH updates 

• Work is now getting underway on a new 2-lane bridge over the Ramarama Stream on State Highway 25 (SH25), just north of Whiritoa.

• The replacement of the single-lane bridge on SH25 in Tairua is now in full construction, with piling well underway to support the first new lane and shared path. The traffic island that was just north of Pepe Road has been moved to just south, which will allow longer vehicles like 23-metre milk tankers to turn in and out of Pepe Road while keeping pedestrians separated from traffic.

• A second round of weekday closures is ahead for State Highway 2 (SH2) through the Karangahake Gorge to remove larger unstable rocks and complete rock scaling. The road will be closed from 9am to 4pm each day from Monday 12 October to Friday 16 October. The closure point is from near the pedestrian bridge over the river and runs 500m towards Paeroa. Access to properties is available from each end, but not through the closure site.

Read more here