Our weekly wrap-up: Storm recovery continues, arts funding and more

Published on 30 January 2026

What does recovery mean?

Recovery from a civil defence emergency means the coordinated efforts and processes to bring about the immediate, medium-term and long-term holistic regeneration of all our communities following the emergency.

It requires the mobilisation of considerable Council resources, our contractors, partner agencies in government like Waikato Regional Council, the Department of Conservation and central government and the community.

Following last week’s storm, our recovery so far means:

• Assessing and repairing infrastructure damage to roads, water services and parks and reserves
• Continuing to raise awareness of ongoing risks from further slips and potential seawater contamination from wastewater overflows
• Helping our communities navigate the systems and processes to get back to normal, such as the building placard system or how to dispose of flood-damaged goods
• Setting up our Mayoral Disaster Relief Fund
• Rates relief for properties issued a red placard

Social recovery in our communities is as important as rebuilding the infrastructure.

• Food banks are seeing heavy demand. Please consider donating to your local food bank if you can.
• Check on your neighbours, especially the elderly and infirm

If you or someone you know in the Thames-Coromandel district needs help, here are the services available:

• Ministry of Social Development (MSD)  
• Rural Support Trust  
• Here to Help U  
• 1737 – Need to Talk?  
• Community & Iwi Providers  
• Thames-Coromandel District Council   

More information on these services here

Storm Recovery Lead appointed

Vaughan Payne has been appointed as our Council’s Recovery Lead, to finalise and lead the recovery programme at a senior level within our Council. Vaughan’s prior experience as a chief executive and in senior leadership positions at organisations including Kāhu Manawa, Department of Internal Affairs, Te Tawharau o Te Whakatōhea, Te Pūkenga, Waikato Regional Council, Ōpōtiki District Council, Auckland Regional Council, as well as leading consultancies such as Boffa Miskell and Beca, means he is well placed for success in this role.

Our district’s recovery encompasses not just the physical rebuilding of damaged infrastructure such as roads, water services and parks and reserves, but takes in the physical and emotional wellbeing of our people. A significant aspect of Mr Payne’s role will be liaising with government ministers and officials to advocate for central government funding for a long-term roading resilience programme for the district.

Rates relief for red-placarded properties

Red-placarded properties will automatically have a rates remission (in accordance with our Rates Remission Policy) applied for the balance of this rating year. Although this will not remove all rates it is hoped this will assist in alleviating some of the immediate financial burden.

Find out more about placards, what they mean and what to do here

Get creative: Coromandel arts funding opens soon

Local artists and creative groups, it’s your chance to bring your ideas to life! Applications for the Creative Communities Scheme are opening soon, offering funding to support arts projects across our district.  

This funding round opens Monday 2 February and closes Friday 27 February 2026, for projects taking place between 1 April 2026 and 1 April 2027. 

Backed by Creative New Zealand, this scheme aims to boost participation in the arts, celebrate the diversity of our communities, and strengthen the local arts scene. 

Funding can support a wide range of creative ventures, from exhibitions, performances, festivals and workshops to youth arts projects, artist-led community initiatives, and projects that celebrate local and cultural traditions. Projects are assessed on three key criteria: access and participation, diversity, and opportunities for young people to get involved in the arts. 

Keep an eye out for full application details and guidelines when applications open. Don’t miss your chance to make your creative vision a reality.  

Find out more here

New VSL signs to be installed to make communities safer

Thames-Coromandel District Council has received approval to install Variable Speed Limit (VSL) signs outside some of our local schools to help make our communities safer. 

Our Council has been working with all schools on Council roads in our district to design and deliver these safer speed zones in a way that best fits local conditions and supports student safety. 

NZ Transport Agency has been doing likewise with local schools on state highways and is funding the overall project. 

We expect installation of these signs to start from mid-March 2026 and be completed by 30 June 2026. 

VSL signs work by triggering a lower speed limit during busy times outside schools (at the start and end of the school day) then reverting to the road’s standard speed limit when there is minimal student activity such as at nights, weekends and holidays. Schools also provide flexibility to control speed limits during special school events, in coordination with the Council. 

Lower speeds reduce crash risk and injury severity, creating a calmer and safer environment for tamariki, parents, and staff travelling to and from school. 

In our district, most urban schools will have a 30kmh limit during school travel times. Some rural schools may have a 60kmh limit, depending on road context. 

Temporary traffic management is to be expected as the signs are installed.  

Please be patient while this work to make our communities safer is carried out. 

VSL map (click to expand)

Find out more about our road safety efforts here

NZTA update: Pepe Stream Bridge replacement

Planning for the replacement of the Pepe Stream Bridge in Tairua is progressing. NZTA will hold a public information day on Thursday 26 February, from 2pm–6pm at the Tairua Community Hall, where people can drop in to see the latest plans and talk with the project team.

Subject to consents, construction is now expected to start in July, earlier than previously planned. Early works, including service relocations, are scheduled from May.

NZTA is also setting up a Community Liaison Group to help keep local stakeholders informed as the project moves into construction. The new two-lane bridge is expected to be completed by December 2027.

Read the full NZTA update here