The calm after the storm: news and events

Published on 27 March 2026

Heroic storm clean-up

Huge appreciation goes to the road workers and contractors who are working long hours to get our roads back into action again after damage caused by the heavy rain and wind on Thursday and Friday.

We’re pleased to report that many of Council’s roads have been cleared and re-opened thanks to road crews’ heroic efforts. NZTA Waka Kotahi report that progress is being made in clearing up SH25 which has had to be closed at several points – both in the north and south.

Communities have also come together to support each other and help out with voluntary clean-ups of affected areas.

With blue skies and calm returning to most of the peninsula and a positive weather forecast ahead for the weekend, we’re looking forward to our communities getting out and about again, supporting events (such as Beach Hop) and boosting local businesses.

Please take extra care when driving on the roads, as the effects of heavy rain can appear days after downpours. Check the pages below for updates to our roads and NZTA’s state highways.

Have a great weekend.

Check NZTA’s state highways

Check Council’s local roads   

Beach Hop rocks despite the weather

The sounds of engines and rock and roll are echoing around Whangamatā which is hosting Repco Beach Hop 2026.

Tens of thousands of visitors rolled into town for the Hop, which is taking place from 25–29 March. And despite everything the weather threw at us Whangamatā has been hopping with fun and action.

With out-of-town events cancelled due to stormy weather and risky roads, all the focus is now on Whangamatā, with an impressive array of events taking place. Creative solutions are the order of the day: locals and visitors are finding fun ways to navigate the weather and put a spark into the town’s streets. 

If you’re out and about, be mindful of the classic cars and drive safely around town – there are thousands of extra people in the district. Traffic marshals will be on the job helping to keep cars and people safe. Please follow their directions and check out the road closures below.

The good news is the weather forecast is looking more favourable, so we’re shaping up for a great weekend ahead.

Find out more here

Check the road conditions

Tough choices are ahead - what matters most to you?

From Monday, we’re asking you to give us your thoughts on some tough choices to help keep rates affordable for 2026/27.

Rates will still increase, but our proposal could lower the rise from around 13% to a more manageable level.

To do that, we’re putting several trade-offs on the table. There are four key proposals we’d like your feedback on:

• reducing mowing and garden maintenance

• changing opening hours at some Refuse and Recycling Transfer Stations

• increasing fees and introducing new charges

• reducing selected rates remissions.

We know these aren’t easy choices, and each one has an impact. That’s why it’s so important we hear from you.

Feedback opens Monday 30 March and runs through to Tuesday 28 April.

We’ll be sharing more information soon, along with plenty of opportunities to come and have a chat with us in your community.

At the Council meeting this week

Council confirmed the consultation approach (outlined above) for our draft Annual Plan at its meeting this week. To catch up on all the discussion and decisions, you can read the agenda and watch the meeting recording on our website.

The Waikato Triennial Agreement was adopted. This agreement sets out protocols for how councils in the region can work together. It also identifies key areas of focus, including: local government reforms, advancing a City and Regional Deal for the Waikato, water reform initiatives and collaboration on development of a Regional Spatial Plan to guide long-term land use and infrastructure planning.

The lease for the Thames Coast Community Kindergarten was reassigned. The old independent kindy shut down last year and now a Tauranga-based early childhood education centre outfit can take over the facility. 

Highlights of our peak summer period reported were: the lack of water restrictions this summer (due in large part to better demand management in Whitianga because of the new water meters), the repair of a major leak in Coromandel Town, and the new treatment plant in Hāhei which now provides adequate supply to that community. Summer events went well, but visitor numbers were down on last year with a resultant drop in spending.

Mayor Peter Revell's report contained an update on our work under the Local Water Done Well reforms. We're continuing to set up our own internal water services business unit while keeping open to any opportunity in future to join with the water services organisation Tauranga City Council and Western Bay of Plenty District Council are forming.

Check out the info and video of the council meeting

Board briefing on Whitianga's Esplanade Redevelopment Project

The Mercury Bay Community Board met with Council staff on Wednesday 25 March to receive an update on the Whitianga Esplanade Redevelopment Project. 

The board was briefed on the project’s background, community feedback and where it is now – exploring the feasibility of preferred options. 

These investigations will help inform Elected Members to make the decision whether or not to advance the project.

The board will meet again for its regular meeting on Wednesday 15 April.

This week's briefing, as well as all Community Board meetings, was livestreamed via our website. Just find the meeting you're interested in. You can watch meetings live or watch the recording afterwards.

Find out more about Whitianga's Esplanade project 

Whangamatā library closed for repair work

Whangamatā's Community Library has had to close temporarily while repair work takes place to fix water leaks. 

The building at 620 Port Road in Whangamatā has been subject to water leaks for several years, including from the roof. Remedial works to date have not fixed the leaking. A detailed building assessment carried out in the last week has indicated that while the Council service centre side of the building can remain open, the community library side of the building needs to be closed until more extensive building work can be carried out.

As part of the building condition assessment, air and surface samples were taken which tested positive for mould in the library area and in one office of the service centre. This office has been sealed pending remedial work. The rest of the service centre is safe for customers and staff.

Our District Library team is working with the Community Library staff and volunteers to find an alternative space in Whangamatā for the library to continue to serve customers. Once those arrangements are in place, we'll let the community know. In the meantime, due dates have been extended and books can be returned to the Council service centre.

We've also been investigating our two Thames office buildings for similar reasons. 

"I'd like to assure the community that the parts of our buildings that we're keeping open remain safe for customers and staff to use," says Thames-Coromandel District Council Chief Executive Aileen Lawrie. "We've been patching these buildings for a number years now and we are investigating whether more comprehensive work needs to be done to make them fit-for-purpose." 

Thames groundwater monitoring installation

Waikato Regional Council plans to install two small groundwater monitoring bores in Thames - at Porritt Park and outside the Thames Library (Rotary Park) on Thursday 9 April.

The monitoring will collect long-term information about groundwater including the linkage to tides and sea-level rise. While groundwater isn’t a major risk right now, the data will help inform future planning decisions.

During installation, small areas may be temporarily fenced off for safety, but parks, walkways and the library will remain open. There will be minimal disruption such as a safety fencing.

The project is funded and led by Waikato Regional Council, with Thames-Coromandel District Council supporting site access and public safety.

Coromandel Town stormwater renewal

Early this month we successfully completed the renewal of a large stormwater pipe on Pagitt Street, Coromandel Town. This was the second portion of stormwater work completed; the other on Victoria Street in 2025.

The location of the pipe meant construction needed a unique solution. The underground pipe runs between residential houses and the pipe is large, so any excavation would have required digging close to people's houses. Our contractors used a ‘cure in place pipe’ lining technique, meaning we created a strong new pipe inside the existing pipe, without having to do any digging.

This approach reduces disruption to the community while extending the life of essential stormwater services.

District libraries’ school holiday programme

Check out what’s happening these school holidays at Thames, Tairua and Mercury Bay Libraries. We’ve got an awesome line-up of activities you won’t want to miss! From creative fun to exciting challenges, there’s something for everyone across the district.

Bookings are open now for Thames Library’s Escape Room and Tairua Library’s Escape Box. Be sure to contact your local library to secure your spot.

For all our other activities, simply drop in on the day and see what’s on.

Find out more