Daylight saving RTS hours, roading updates & proposal for Matarangi

Published on 26 September 2025

Refuse and Recycling Transfer Stations daylight savings hours

This Sunday 28 September, clocks will spring forward one hour as daylight saving begins. Along with the extra evening light, our Council’s Refuse and Recycling Transfer Stations will also shift to their daylight-saving operating hours.

From Sunday, all our Transfer Stations will be open 8.30am to 5.30pm, seven days a week – including most public holidays – giving you an extra hour each day to drop off your refuse and recycling.

Check further details

A year of recovery, resilience, and progress across our district

Last year, we set our 2024-34 Long Term Plan which outlines the priorities and budgets that guide our work over the next decade. Looking back at the past year, we delivered strong outcomes for our communities despite challenges.

We completed a lot of our storm recovery work, repairing roads and public spaces. We upgraded infrastructure, including water treatment, roads, and stormwater systems, keeping services safe and reliable. Key projects included clearing unstable material, repairing retaining walls, and stabilising slips at several sites across the district.

We strengthened community resilience and development, supporting education, youth engagement, local food production, and public spaces. Partnerships with schools, community groups, and agencies helped these initiatives succeed. We’re really proud to have placed 31 young people into employment via the Mayor’s Taskforce for Jobs.

We managed rising costs and adapted to evolving government requirements while delivering core projects and planning for long-term growth. Essential maintenance and renewal work continues, alongside notable upgrades like the new Whitianga Refuse Transfer Station, supported by $5.9 million from the Ministry for the Environment.

Looking ahead, we will continue to build resilient infrastructure, vibrant communities, and sustainable development, guided by the needs and voices of our residents.

Our Annual Report will soon be available to read online. It will provide an in-depth look at how we delivered the plans set for the 2024/25 year.

Local election news - Mobile ballot boxes

Haven’t been able to cast your vote yet? No problem! We’re bringing mobile ballot boxes to a place near you. We start tomorrow (Saturday 27 September) at our Thames, Mercury Bay and Tairua libraries and end on Thursday 2 October. Just pop into one of the locations listed below on the appropriate date to vote. We also have our fixed ballot boxes available at our Council offices in Thames, Coromandel Town, Whitianga and Whangamatā.

SH25 Boundary Creek Bridge – 7-day full closure in October

A reminder that in a few weeks, NZTA Waka Kotahi will be starting work on the section of SH25 at Boundary Creek Bridge. That’s north of Te Mata and before Waikawau boat ramp. 

NZTA contractors will be replacing the bridge deck and installing a new slow vehicle bay, restoring the road to two lanes ahead of the busy summer season.  

What can people expect? 

• After Labour Weekend, there will be a seven-day closure at the bridge from 5am on Wednesday 29 October.
• There will still be access to all businesses and properties along SH25 up to the bridge from the north and the south, but no through traffic will be allowed.
• Work to strengthen and repair the bridge supports will start on Monday 13 October 2025, so people can expect minor delays from that date.

What’s the detour route?

• People travelling to areas north of the closure (Coromandel Town, Colville, and beyond), will need to take the eastern section of SH25A to Hikuai and continue via Tairua and Whitianga. 
• For those heading south from Coromandel Town, they’ll need to reverse the route.

During the closure period, people should:

• add extra time to their journey to allow for the detour.
• avoid using the 309 and Tapu-Coroglen Roads if they are towing or driving a heavy vehicle. These roads are not safe for heavy vehicles.

Check here for the latest updates 

Waka Kotahi NZTA update – Keeping the Coromandel connected

A reliable state highway network is essential for Coromandel residents, businesses and visitors. Waka Kotahi NZTA is prioritising work to ensure our roads remain resilient and safe.

Other key updates include:

• SH25A daytime closures in November (between Kōpū and Hikuai)
• Coromandel and Hauraki state highway programme updates (SH25 & SH25A)
• Summer road works programme 
• Variable speed limit signs installed near schools for safer drop-offs
• Speed reviews across the district
• Pepe Bridge (Tairua) and Moana Anu Anu Bridge (Whangamatā) works

Stay informed and plan ahead – these improvements are all about keeping our communities connected.

Read their latest newsletter here

Road works

With warmer weather on the horizon, our annual road resealing programme is now underway.

Residents in affected areas will receive individual mail drops with details.

Thames community: Please be aware of a partial road closure on Rolleston Street, Tuesday 30 September from 7:00am – 6:00pm.

This schedule is weather-dependent and may change due to unforeseen circumstances. We’ll keep you updated with any changes as they arise.

Thanks for your patience while we carry out these essential improvements.

Further details and full programme here

Multi-sports facility proposed for Matarangi

Our Council is exploring a proposal to convert one of its Matarangi tennis courts into a multi-use sports facility, providing predominantly for netball and basketball. 

The proposal follows a community survey reflecting strong support for the idea. It also has backing from Sport Waikato, Mercury Bay Netball and Matarangi Residents and Ratepayers Association. Our Council is now holding its own survey to hear what the wider community wants. 

Matarangi has six tennis court facilities, three of which are Council-owned. The proposal suggests the Council tennis courts on Matarangi Drive, near the entrance to Matarangi, as the preferred site. 

If approved, the proposed conversion is expected to be part-funded through grants and other fundraising opportunities. 

Have your say here

Springtime fun at our Libraries

We’ve had an amazing time this week at our District Libraries’ school holiday programme. It’s been fantastic to welcome so many new faces to our craft sessions, celebrating the arrival of Spring across the peninsula. From bird feeders and bug hotels to seed bombs and more - creativity has been in full bloom!

Looking for more free, hands-on fun to keep the kids busy? Next week, we’re diving into pot plant decorating, paper clay creations and other exciting activities.

Join us at our District Libraires in Thames, Tairua and Mercury Bay next week as our school holiday programme continues.

• Sessions take place on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 10:30am-11:30am.
• All sessions are free of charge
• No bookings required - drop-in on the day.

Find out more here

Ride Coromandel tree planting

Around 20 volunteers took part in a planting day at Ride Coromandel bike park at the weekend, planting over 500 native plants.

Ngā Rākau Nurseries generously donated the native trees, along with the Daltons potting mix. Additional trees were donated by Destination Hauraki Coromandel’s sustainability initiatives and Te Puawai Native Plant Nursery. Together, these contributions will provide shelter, ground cover and privacy for bike park users, highlighting the park’s commitment to sustainability and working toward a carbon zero footprint.

Volunteers also took the opportunity to use the park’s newest asset, a toilet built using MBIE’s Tourism Infrastructure funding sourced by our Council. You can read more about this here.

Find out more about the park

Caring for our dunes

The Whangamatā dune planting has been shifted to the afternoon so volunteers can also head along to the Meet the Candidates session in the morning.

Where: Meet at Beach Access 17 (off Tangaroa Road) 
When: 1pm, Saturday 27 September 

Join the Whangamatā Dune Protection Society and Coastcare Waikato for the final planting day of the season. Together we’ll be infill planting native spinifex and doing some light weeding along the dunes between Beach Access 11 and 18. Holes will be pre-dug, making it easy for everyone to get involved. Afterwards, enjoy a well-earned cuppa and a fresh scone for morning tea. 

What to bring: 

RSVP: info@whangadunes.org.nz or samantha.telfar@tcdc.govt.nz 

In case of bad weather, postponement details will be sent out via email and posted on Coastcare Waikato’s Facebook page (@CoastcareWaikato)

Tararū cemetery

Work will be taking place at Tararū Cemetery on Monday and Tuesday next week (29 and 30 September), but the cemetery will remain open.

This completes work started earlier in September.

Visitors may see workers using specialised gear on the bank at the top of the cemetery. However, public access will not be affected.

Get ready to ShakeOut

On Thursday 16 October at 9.30am, schools, workplaces and whānau across the country will take part in New Zealand’s national earthquake drill and tsunami hīkoi.

We all know the phrases: Drop, Cover, Hold for earthquakes, and Long or Strong, Get Gone for tsunami - but practicing these responses is what makes them second nature when the pressure is on. By signing up and taking part, you’ll help build confidence, reduce risk of injury and make sure you and your whānau know exactly what to do when the unexpected happens. Plus, you'll be in to win some awesome prizes!

Sign up here

Kōpū wharf public access trial continues

Kōpū Commercial Wharf is open to the public from 9am until 5pm on weekends until the end of Labour Day, Monday 27 October. During the trial period the public are able to access the wharf through the pedestrian access gate - next to the recreational ramp parking (via King Street). 

Please take extreme care and follow all signage in place. Children must be supervised by adults.  

We want to hear from you about your visit!

Submit your feedback here