Next week our Council is moving the northern part of Whitianga into the Mercury Bay North collection area, meaning for those that live in the area north of Ohuka Farm Drive - your collection day is moving from a Tuesday to a Wednesday.
The change takes effect from Tuesday 2 December, with the new collection starting on Wednesday 3 December.
You can view maps of our district’s kerbside collection areas anytime via our website or the link below.
View our collection map here
Transfer station hours 10 and 11 December
The following Refuse and Recycling Transfer Stations (RTS) will be open for reduced hours on single days while vital six-monthly maintenance takes place on their weighbridges.
Transfer stations will either open slightly later or close slightly earlier than usual.
Wednesday 10 December
- Thames: 10am – 5.30pm
- Whangamatā: 8.30am – 3.30pm
Thursday 11 December
- Tairua: 10am – 5.30pm
- Whitianga: 8.30am – 3.30pm
Apologies for any inconvenience.
For info about standard opening hours, locations and everything you need to know about our Refuse and Recycling Transfer Stations visit: www.tcdc.govt.nz/rts
Council meeting round-up
The Council adopted the terms of reference (delegations), chair appointments and membership of committees for the new electoral term at their meeting on Tuesday 25 November.
The committees are intended to support effective governance, oversight and strategic delivery across Council’s core functions.
Committees and their members
| Chief Executive Committee |
- Mayor Peter Revell (Chair)
- Cr Robyn Sinclair (Deputy Chair)
- Deputy Mayor John Grant
|
|
Risk and Assurance Committee
|
- Chair (Independent)
- Cr Flemming Rasmussen (Deputy Chair)
- Mayor Peter Revell
- Deputy Mayor John Grant
- Cr Tony Brljevich
- Cr John Freer
- Cr Greg Hampton
|
| Planning and Regulatory Committee |
- Mayor Peter Revell (Chair)
- Cr Tony Brljevich (Deputy Chair)
- Cr Rob Ashman
- Cr Michael Barlow
- Cr John Freer
- Cr Martin Rodley
- Cr Robyn Sinclair
- Cr Alison Smith
|
| Infrastructure and Finance Committee |
- Deputy Mayor John Grant (Chair)
- Flemming Rasmussen (Deputy Chair)
- Mayor Peter Revell
- Cr Rob Ashman
- Cr Tony Brljevich
- Cr Greg Hampton
|
An overview of the committee structure is in the report to Council in the agenda and details of the delegations to each committee are in the decision-making framework report in the agenda.
2025 Community Satisfaction Survey results presented
After a full year of quarterly surveys of permanent residents and non-resident ratepayers, the results of the 2025 Community Satisfaction Survey were presented to our Council at its meeting this week.
The surveying provides an independent measure of how well our services are meeting community expectations.
“If you’ve been asked to complete this survey and have done so, thank you very much for participating,” says our Chief Executive Aileen Lawrie.
You can read the staff cover report in the meeting agenda here where you’ll find a link to the full report on the survey responses and a link to the national benchmarking report.
Councillor remuneration allocations
Council also approved the allocations of the councillors’ remuneration pool for the 2025/26 financial year, following the local elections. The central government’s Remuneration Authority determines the remuneration pool for each council.
Following consultation with the Mayor and the Chief Executive, it is recommended that the Deputy Mayor receive an additional $32,227 in recognition of their increased responsibilities, bringing their total remuneration to $85,227.
All other Councillors will receive an equal share of the remaining pool, resulting in a total remuneration of $53,000 each.
How government plans could affect local decision-making
This week the government announced a proposal to significantly reform the shape of local government in New Zealand.
Step 1 of the proposal is to remove the elected governance body of regional councils and replace with a “Combined Territories Board” of mayors from district and city councils within each region. There are alternative options for Crown Commissioners to be involved in the boards.
Step 2 is for these Combined Territories Boards to develop regional reorganisation plans that look at the organisation of local government in the region.
The proposal is not yet policy and is out for public consultation until 20 February 2026.
“We are taking the time we need to properly understand this major proposal and what it will mean for the full diversity of our community before we take a formal view,” says Thames-Coromandel District Mayor Peter Revell.
“Any change must deliver real benefits to the Coromandel’s ratepayers, residents, iwi and businesses, including lower costs, better services, protection for our environment and lifestyle, or it is not worth doing,” Mayor Revell said.
“This proposal starts with regional councils, but step 2 could lead to amalgamations or major restructuring that directly affects every district council, including ours. Any restructure must protect, and not reduce, our ability to make decisions that suit the Coromandel. We are not resisting change, but we will be upfront about what works for our district and what doesn’t. There are potential efficiencies here but also risks. We need to understand both.
“The central government is moving very quickly on multiple major reforms at once: water services delivery, resource management, spatial planning, fiscal restraint, and more. There are currently 28 bills potentially affecting local government. This new proposal adds significant new pressure at a time when elected members and staff are already at capacity. The pace and volume of reforms risks poor outcomes if local government doesn’t have the capacity to respond properly, and this includes timely engagement with our communities. Good process leads to good results,” Mayor Revell said.
Our council will be exploring a way for our communities to provide feedback, ask questions and make comment about these reforms to Council over the next two months. In addition, the public can provide feedback directly to the government through its website www.dia.govt.nz/simplifying-local-government.
Royal Billy Boat Ramp work
The pontoon at Pāuanui’s Royal Billy Boat Ramp will be out of action for three days from Monday 8 December to Wednesday 10 December while we replace two floats.
The boat ramp will remain open, but a portion of the ramp will be cordoned off as a working zone (and the pontoon closed).
These dates give us maximum working time with midday high tides required to get the floats up the ramp to maximum height without any heavy machinery.
Road closures for asphalt replacement in Whangamatā
Our contractors will be replacing the asphalt on Hunt Road and part of Port Road next week (weather permitting). To keep everyone safe, work on both roads will be done under full road closures.
Residents will still have access, but please allow extra time when entering or exiting the area. Traffic controllers will be onsite to guide you — please follow their instructions. Work is weather dependent — you can stay up to date here or on our Facebook page.
| Wednesday 3 December |
Thursday 4 December |
- Port Road - Closed 7am to noon
- Hunt Road - Closed 7am to 7pm
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- Hunt Road - Closed 7am to 7pm
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Click the link below to learn where dogs are welcome in our district, plus take our dog rules quiz and be in to win a $100 Prezzy Card.
Learn more
MTFJ Graduation Ceremony celebrates local trade graduates
The Mayor’s Taskforce for Jobs (MTFJ) Industry Training Organisation Graduation Ceremony took place on Tuesday 25 November, celebrating graduates from across the Thames-Coromandel and Hauraki Districts.
Thirty-five graduates were recognised for completing Level 2, 3 and 4 National Certificates through Industry Training Organisations: MITO, Service IQ, Primary ITO, Careerforce and Valley Education & Training.
Certificates were presented by Mayor Peter Revell and Mayor Toby Adams, with guest speaker Bradley West from Pinnacles Civil sharing insights into building a career in the trades.
Mayor Revell congratulated the graduates, saying: “Today is a milestone—one that reflects your dedication, your skill, and your willingness to keep learning and growing. You are stepping into industries that keep our communities strong, and our districts are stronger because of people like you.”
The ceremony also acknowledged the friends, whānau, tutors and employers who supported each graduate throughout their training.
Strengthening connections at the Hauraki Kapa Haka Festival
Our Council's Community Resilience team attended the 52nd Hauraki Cultural Kapa Haka Festival at Kerepēhi Marae last weekend. Over two days of vibrant kapa haka performances, the team hosted a stall to engage with local rangatahi and whānau.
Events like this provide invaluable opportunities to strengthen trust, deepen our relationships with iwi, and support community resilience. “Engaging directly with our communities and whānau allows us to listen, learn, and grow stronger together,” says Community Group Manager Jeanette Wikaira. “Our connections with the Hauraki rangatahi and whānau is central to building resilient communities, and being part of this festival is an important way to nurture those relationships.”
We were grateful and privileged to attend the festival, which, guided by Manaakitanga, Aroha, and Whakawhanaungatanga, showcased generations of performers—from tamariki at kōhanga reo to esteemed kuia and kaumātua—highlighting the rich cultural heritage of the Hauraki region and the spirit of community that binds us all.
Earthquake Home Safety Checklist up for grabs
Earthquakes don’t RSVP before they show up… so let’s make sure your home is ready to party safely!
We’ve prepared a downloadable Home Safety Checklist to help you ensure your home is as earthquake ready as it can be. Some of the top tips are:
- Strap down the heavy stuff.
- Know your safe spots.
- Keep an emergency kit handy.
Think of it as giving your house a “quake makeover” - because even walls deserve a little self-care.
Stay prepared, stay safe, and remember: the only thing that should be shaking is your dance moves!
If you want to find out more about local hazards in the Thames-Coromandel district, visit www.tcdc.govt.nz/hazards.
Download a copy of the Home Safety Checklist
Inflatable fun at Centennial Pool
Summer’s here and there’s lots of fun to be had at Thames Centennial Pool. The pool’s inflatable obstacle course will be up on Sunday 30 November between 11am and 3pm. Challenge yourself and your friends to get from end to end without falling off!
Find out more