Elections: how to stand, where to start, candidate briefings and more
Published on 04 July 2025
Nominations open for Local Elections 2025
Our Chief Executive Aileen Lawrie caught up with Rob from CFM radio this week to chat about the elections and what they mean for our communities and how people can get involved.
From today, Friday 4 July, anyone interested in standing in this year’s elections can submit a nomination online or through one of our Council’s service centres to run for Mayor, Councillor, or Community Board Member.
The nomination period closes next month. If you care about your community, this is your chance to step up or encourage someone you trust to stand.
The elections are more than just a vote. They’re a chance to shape the future of our communities and the places that matter most to us.
Stand for your people. Stand for your whenua. Stand for your future.
Listen to our Chief Executive CFM chat via the video below.
Find out more Learn more
Elections – Candidate Information Briefings coming to you
Think you, or someone you know, has what it takes to represent our communities as an elected official? We've got all you need to know about what it takes to serve as a Mayor, Councillor or Community Board Member. And you might be surprised! Our friendly team will have answers for all of your elections-related questions.
Come join us next weekend and the locations below:
Saturday 12 July
Whangamatā, 10am-12pm
Whangamatā Service Centre, 620 Port Road
Tairua, 1.30pm-3.30pm
St Francis House, 248 Main Road
Whitianga, 5pm-7pm
Mercury Bay Service Centre, 10 Monk Street
Sunday 13 July
Coromandel Town, 10am-12pm
Coromandel Service Centre 355 Kapanga Road
Thames, 2pm-4pm
Thames War Memorial Civic Centre, 200 Mary Street
You have until July 10 to change rolls
Māori mā, still wondering whether to go on the Māori Roll or General Roll for this year's local elections? You still have time to decide. The chance to switch rolls closes on July 10. Find out more through our friends Te Aorere Pewhairangi and vote.nz below.
In this year's election, for the first time in Thames-Coromandel District, those on the Māori Roll can vote for a Māori Ward councillor. Our Māori Ward - called Te Tara o Te Ika Māori Ward – covers our entire district and is represented by a single councillor elected from the Māori electoral roll
Plus, Māori Roll voters can also vote for the Mayor and Community Board Members.
Council covers cost for kids visiting Te Papa display at Thames Museum
Wondering what to do these school holidays?
Our Civil Defence Emergency Management Unit at Thames-Coromandel District Council encourages you to explore the Rūaumoko - Restless Land display at Thames Museum Te Whare Taonga o te Kauaeranga.
This display is touring courtesy of Te Papa and our teams think it's so awesome that we’re covering the cost of children visiting the excellent display.
Some schools have already booked visits with the museum once the holidays end, so get in while you can.
There are plenty of interactive engagement tools and colouring in for the kids plus heaps of information about what our local hazards are and how we can best prepare for them.
Don’t forget there are plenty of other fascinating features of interest to the whole family at the museum.
Make sure you check it out.
School holidays at our libraries
Drop in at Mercury Bay Library, Thames Library, and Tairua Library these school holidays!!
We'll have challenges to try, crafts to make and games to play!
See the full list of activities
Working together for the coast of Matarangi
We have continued engaging directly with local stakeholders and residents to provide clarity and build understanding about our Matarangi restoration and rewilding coastal programme that started last month.
A drop-in session was held on Saturday 29 June at Pipers Café in Matarangi with around 15 community members. The discussion was constructive, with our Coastal Team outlining the project’s goals and approach. Feedback was largely positive, with attendees acknowledging the importance of meeting statutory environmental requirements, including obligations under the Wildlife Act. Encouragingly, some locals offered to support future volunteer efforts, including helping with trap line maintenance and the upcoming planting event (see more details below).
This engagement has been valuable in helping to address concerns and clarify misconceptions - particularly the incorrect belief that no work is currently underway in Matarangi.
In fact, we have been actively working on weed control and infill planting along 500 metres of foredune between Ocean Close and the Village Green, with ongoing back dune enhancement also planned. The next phase will focus on the 700-metre stretch in front of the Pines, which includes the removal of invasive species such as gorse and lupins from the back dunes.
Find out more
Community Working Bee
A community working bee is planned for 9am on Wednesday 9 July in Matarangi, and we look forward to continued collaboration with local residents to protect and enhance this important coastal environment. We’ll be weeding and planting native dune plants in front of beach access 24 to support the health and stability of our coastline. Please bring covered shoes, weather-appropriate clothing, drinking water and feel free to bring a friend or two. All tools, gloves and equipment will be provided, and our CoastCare team will be on hand to help out. We’ll wrap up with a warm cuppa afterwards at Pipers Café.
See CoastCare’s Facebook page here for further details
Whangamatā Planting Bee
Where: Island View Reserve – Meet at parking lot
When: 10am, Saturday 5 July 2025
Infill planting the restored sand dunes at Island View Reserve and some accessways.
We invite you to join the Coromandel Coastcare team and Whangamatā Dune Protection Society members to our planting event this Saturday for an easy day of planting native spinifex in the sand. Holes will be done with an auger prior to planting so this event will just be about getting plants in the ground, no digging.
Come along for a morning on the dunes, followed by a hot cuppa and a warm scone!
What to bring:
- Please wear covered footwear, warm clothes & rain jacket. Bring own water bottle.
- Planting equipment will be provided but feel free to bring your favourite gloves if you like.
- Gather a few friends or family members to come along!
- Morning tea (light snacks and beverages) will be provided
Postponement due to weather will be posted on the Whangamatā Dune Protection Society Facebook page and sent out via email.
We look forward to seeing you there!
For more information contact your local Coastal Restoration Coordinator: samantha.telfar@tcdc.govt.nz
Conserve water notice - Coromandel Town
Coromandel Town residents are asked to please conserve water until further by deferring showers, washing clothes, minimise toilet use until further notice. Due to yesterday’s storm and a major leak today, water supplies are very low. A water tanker is available at the Fire Station should it be necessary.
Thank you for your patience.
Mautohe Cathedral Cove Community Feedback Survey
The Department of Conservation wants to hear from you!
Help inform planning, access, and visitor experience improvements at Mautohe Cathedral Cove.
The survey closes on Tuesday 15 July.
If you're curious to learn more about access, safety and visitor management at Mautohe Cathedral Cove, check out the information boards at the link below.
Share your thoughts Information boards
Opportunities at our Council
We have a diverse range of career opportunities available right now at our council. If you're looking for a new challenge, want to make a difference in your community, or take the next step in your career, check out the roles below:
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.
Red-gister now!
It’s nearly 31 July, just one month left to register your dog before penalties apply.
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 service centres.
A friendly reminder, don’t let your dog wander or cause a nuisance by barking or fouling.
• Keep your dog on a lead in public spaces where required
• Pick up after your dog
• Be mindful of barking, especially during quiet hours
Find out more
Adoptable dogs of the week
We currently have 2 dogs available for adoption who are ready to find their forever homes!
Find out more
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.
