Big decision on future water services, Annual Plan adoption, and more

Published on 27 June 2025

Local Water Done Well: TCDC approves joint water services organisation

Our Council has voted to join with Tauranga and Western Bay of Plenty councils to form a joint water services delivery organisation that will comply with new Government legislation and futureproof these essential services for our community.

At its meeting this week, our Council made the decision on our district’s future water services and delivery as part of the Government’s mandated Local Water Done Well reform.

The decision to form a joint Water Services Organisation follows a year of research, meetings, workshops and community consultation.

Over this time, the options were narrowed to:

1. an enhanced status quo (an internal water services unit) or;
2. a regional/sub-regional Water Services Organisation

The staff analysis recommended forming a joint water services organisation with Western Bay of Plenty (WBOP) District and Tauranga City councils as the best option to provide future affordability for local ratepayers while providing a mechanism to influence the design of the new joint Water Service Organisation. Joining the Waikato Water Done Well grouping of seven Waikato councils or the Hamilton City/Waikato District entity were also considered to be good options but not as strong as the Tauranga/WBOP option.

Council staff will now work with Tauranga and Western Bay councils to prepare a commitment agreement and joint implementation plan before reporting back to Council.

Our Chief Executive Aileen Lawrie noted “This is an important decision for council, which focuses on ensuring our water services will be delivered sustainably for future generations.”.

A Water Services Delivery Plan will now be drafted up before being presented to the Department of Internal Affairs by 2 September 2025.

Find out more

Next year's Council plan is locked in

Our Council has confirmed our plans and budgets for the coming financial year, and yes – rates are going up by an average of 7.7% just as we forecast last year. 

Rising costs from inflation, water reforms, government changes to road funding and speed limits, and ongoing cyclone recovery repairs have made this a tough budget year, but we’ve made careful choices to stay on track. 

Some key works projects we've budgeted for in 2025/26 include: 

To help balance the books, we’ve delayed some of our planned projects, adjusted fees and charges in line with inflation, used some savings gained from previous years (retained earnings) and made some changes to peak rubbish and recycling in our eastern communities. From this summer, they’ll move to one weekly rubbish and glass collection from the week of Christmas through to the week Waitangi Day instead of two per week. Food waste and mixed recycling will continue to be collected once per week in these areas over the summer to cater to the visitor influx.

Fees and charges are also changing. Kerbside rubbish tags go up by 25c to $8.25 from 1 July, and we’re introducing a $5 minimum fee at transfer station weighbridges. General rubbish and green waste loads will now also have a $5 minimum charge but you can still drop bagged rubbish for the same cost - $5 for a large 60L bag and $2 for a small 20L bag. 

Check your 2025/26 rates here Read our 2025/26 Annual Plan here   

View our Annual Plan website page Read the full news story

Online payment closure TCDC website

Our online payment system will be unavailable from Tuesday 1 July while we carry out our end-of-year financial processing.

Expected to be back up by Wednesday 2 July.

Thanks for your patience, and we’re sorry for any inconvenience this may cause.

Outward Bound builds skills for future career 

Thanks to a partnership between the Mayors Taskforce for Jobs and Outward Bound NZ, our Council was able to support a local rangatahi (youth) to take part in the 21-day Outward Bound classic course in Anakiwa. 

Cadence, who was nominated through the Coromandel Youth Mentors programme, which connects local rangatahi aged 8 and up with trained volunteer mentors to build confidence, connection, and a sense of purpose through regular one-on-one catch ups and community involvement, was selected to take part in the course this May. 

Outward Bound is known for building resilience, confidence, and leadership through outdoor challenges, including tramping, kayaking, solo reflection, and teamwork. 

For Cadence, the experience was life-changing, “I learnt that I can actually be myself without feeling judged,” Cadence said. 

“It was great to do something different, normally I’d just be at home, not really getting out or doing much. This gave me a chance to try new things and just have fun.” 

Since completing the course, Cadence has gained clarity about her future and now has a clear goal for her career path. 

Georgie Parry from Coromandel Youth Mentors has seen a real change in her since the course. 

“One of the biggest things I’ve noticed about Cadence is that she is a lot more confident speaking to people since she has come back,” she said. 

Our Council, alongside the Mayors Taskforce for Jobs and Outward Bound, is proud to support young people to access opportunities like this to grow their confidence and better prepare them for entering the workforce. 

About Mayors Taskforce for Jobs   

MTFJ is a movement of mayors around Aotearoa who advocate for a bottom-up approach to employment solutions to deliver the Community Employment Programme (CEP) along with broader initiatives. In particular, CEP is a nationwide partnership between MTFJ and the Ministry of Social Development (MSD) that’s delivering great outcomes in our rural and provincial communities. It’s championed by mayors who are working together towards the vision of all young people 16-25 engaged in employment, education or training in their communities. 

Chance to find out more about Matarangi dune plans

Interested in understanding a bit more about the Matarangi rewilding and dune restoration? We will have a couple of staff at Pipers Cafe on Saturday available to have a chat and answer any questions you might have. 

Come join us: 

• Saturday 28 June 
• 11am – 12pm 
• Pipers Cafe (at Matarangi shops) 

We are keen to have more community volunteers for the dune restoration programme and this is a good chance to sign up and join our team! 

Find out more about Matarangi dune restoration

Adoptable dogs of the week

We currently have 5 dogs available for adoption who are ready to find their forever homes! Each one has their own special personality—whether you're after a cuddle buddy, a playful companion, or a walking mate, there's one here for you.

If you're interested in adopting a dog from TCDC's pound, please complete a Dog Adoption Application. If you have any questions, please phone us on 07 868 0200.

Red-gister now

You’ve got until 31 July to register your dog for the upcoming year. 

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. 

Make sure your dog is registered and always wears their tag. 

Visiting from another district? Have an ID tag on your dog with your name, address and phone number, this helps if they get lost or picked up by a Council Officer. 

Soft plastics recycling success 

Great work to our communities on recycling your soft plastics. You have diverted 44 tonnes of soft plastics from landfill since the recycling scheme started in the district in July 2022. That’s the equivalent of over 30 cars in weight. 

In partnership with the Packaging Forum, soft plastic recycling drop-offs are available in 16 locations in our district including in Pāuanui, Coromandel Town, Tairua, Thames, Whangamatā and Whitianga. 

WM New Zealand bales and transports the soft plastics to Future Post and saveBOARD to turn them into useful products, such as fenceposts and building materials. 

For more info visit our soft plastics recycling page. 

Plastic Free July

Take action against plastic pollution. Join an international campaign to stop plastic pollution and reduce single-use plastic waste.  

Find out more

Pathway repair work at Mercury Bay Cemetery

Pathway repair work will be carried out at Mercury Bay Cemetery on Monday 30 June. A barricade will be in place at the entrance to the cemetery pathway closest to the Ferry Landing site.

Please note: The footpath leading from the Ferry up Purangi Road will not be affected.

Tree removal at Shortland Cemetery, Thames

Several large trees will be removed from Shortland Cemetery between Monday 30 June and Wednesday 2 July.

These trees are dead or dying and now pose a threat to historic graves and public safety at the cemetery.

Council and contractors have chosen to use a helicopter and tree climbers to safely remove hazardous trees from the cemetery, minimising the risk to historic graves.

A letter has been sent to nearby residents. During this time, we ask the public to stay out of the cemetery to ensure the tree removal is carried out safely.

Public transport survey

Waikato Regional Council is seeking public feedback on proposed changes to bus services in the region, including Thames-Coromandel District. To help shape the future of local public transport fill in this survey by Sunday 13 July. 

Age Concern Hauraki Coromandel

Age Concern Hauraki Coromandel is promoting its wide range of services for senior citizens throughout the district. 

These include: 

• A one-to-one visiting service for socially isolated or lonely elders  
• A 75% discounted Total Mobility taxi service for people with impairments who’re unable to use public transport due to a disability 
• Movement classes in Coromandel Town, Pāuanui, Tairua, Tapu, Thames, Whangamatā and Whitianga such as Steady as You Go strength and balance sessions or dance classes for people with Parkinsons  
• Chinwag coffee meet-ups in Thames and Whitianga 
• Staying safe driver refresher courses

The group is also encouraging people to take out membership from 1 July 2025. They receive no government funding and rely on fundraising, donations and member subscriptions to do their vital work in our communities. 

For more information visit Age Concern’s website.

Accessibility in Thames 

Thames Community Board is keen to hear from locals about how easy the town’s footpaths are to use, especially for people with disabilities or mobility issues.

The engineering firm WSP has been in Thames using a mobility scooter to test whether footpaths meet national specifications for accessibility. In addition, the Board would like to hear community members’ personal experiences.

Pop along to the Board’s fortnightly Grahamstown Saturday market stall 10am – 12 noon on 28 June to share your experiences. 

Kōpū Boat Ramp free day passes

Don’t miss out on our free boat ramp pass offer which ends this Monday 30 June. Pick up a free day pass from Early Bird Bait & Tackle, Hunting and Fishing Thames or Thames Council Office.

Join our team

We offer a diverse range of career opportunities.  

Our current job vacancies are: 

• Team Leader – Building Inspections
• Resource Consent Planner – All Levels
• Assistant Accountant – Infrastrcuture
• Food and Alcohol Team Leader
• Bylaws Compliance Officer - Whangamata

If you are interested in working for us and there are no current vacancies that fit your skill set and knowledge, please head to our website and register an expression of interest.