Commitment to keep rates rises as low as possible
Thames-Coromandel Mayor Peter Revell has welcomed the government’s move away from a hard rates cap to a 2–4% target range, saying it reinforces the clear message ratepayers have sent and the commitment the council has already made.
“People have told us very clearly that rates have been rising too quickly, and we have taken that on board,” says Mayor Revell. “My commitment — and now this council’s commitment — is to keep future increases as low as possible so that we honour the promises made to our community and meet the expectations the government has now set.”
Council has already shown it is serious: the proposed 7.7% increase for the 2026/27 financial year in the Long Term Plan has been halved, with a target cap of 3.8% set for the 2026/27 year, which is within the government’s proposed threshold.
“Living within a tight range long-term won’t be easy and will require real change — some of it challenging for our organisation and parts of our community,” Mayor Revell says. “We will make those changes because delivering critical services at an affordable price is what ratepayers have every right to expect.”
Read the full media release here
Contractor in place for Tairua bridge replacement
A key milestone has been reached in NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) Waka Kotahi's Pepe Stream Bridge replacement project in Tairua, with a contract signed for the design, consenting and construction of the new bridge on State Highway 25.
Fulton Hogan will build the new two-lane bridge, working with engineering consultancy WSP to support the design and preparation of resource consent applications.
The new bridge will replace the single-lane structure, built in 1943, and also the current wooden pedestrian bridge. A 3-metre wide shared path will be on the seaward side of the new bridge, and a 1.5-metre footpath on the western side. A pedestrian crossing with a safety refuge is planned near the Pepe Road intersection. The project has a $22 million budget.
After finalising design and consents, construction is expected to start in spring 2026, with traffic on the new bridge by December 2027.
From Monday 8 to Thursday 18 December testing will take place at the bridge. There will be stop/go traffic management and a reduced speed limit in place while the testing is underway.
Subscribe to NZTA newsletters to stay up-to-date with State Highway news
Celebrate the magic of a Coromandel Christmas
Meri Kirihimete! Wishing everyone a joyful start to the festive season.
This December, join in the festive fun with parades, grottos and vibrant celebrations happening throughout the Coromandel. It’s the perfect way to kick off the holiday season – fun for all ages and guaranteed to fill your day with cheer.
To help Santa and his helpers travel safely through each town, road closures will be in place, see details at www.tcdc.govt.nz/roads
Thames Santa Parade and Te Kauaeranga Whānau Day
Thames Santa Parade this Saturday 6 December kicks off a day of whānau activities.
The day’s events begin at the parade start point on the corners of Cochrane/Pollen Streets at 11am, heading south on Pollen Street. Floats will continue to Te Kura o Te Kauaeranga Grey Street field entrance.
This year, the Te Kauaeranga Whānau Day includes:
- a rock-climbing wall
- a safari ride
- a dunking tank
- a pirate ship
- Scooby Doo multiplay
- All Stars Basketball Challenge.
Inflatable fun at Thames Centennial Pool
Kerbside collections over summer and 2026
Printed calendars and digital calendars setting out your kerbside collection days for 2026 and summer peak collections (for the east coast and Coromandel town and north) are available.
Please check out our web page for your online calendars www.tcdc.govt.nz/bindays
If you don't have a printer, you can get a printed copy from your nearest Council office, Refuse and Recycling Transfer Station or visitor information centre
Get your calendar now
Keep your dogs under control
Dogs must be under control at all times so everyone can enjoy our public spaces.
Whether your dog is on lead or off, it’s your job to make sure they don’t bother people, animals or wildlife
In dog exercise areas, only let your dog off lead if you’re confident they’ll stay close and follow your commands - even with distractions around.
Take our dog rules quiz and be in to win a $100 Prezzy Card
Learn where dogs are welcome in our district
Work updates
Moana Anu Anu Bridge closure extended
NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) Waka Kotahi's work on the Moana Anu Anu Bridge (also known as Wentworth Bridge) on SH25 near Whangamatā has progressed beyond deck repairs to include replacing three corroded beams.
The bridge has been closed to all traffic since 29 October and is now expected to reopen by 19 December. During the closure, crews are replacing the bridge deck and carrying out essential strengthening work. The need for additional repairs was discovered once the project was underway. New beams are currently being fabricated.
A detour via Mayfair Avenue and Martyn Road remains in place, adding only a few minutes to normal travel times.
For weekly updates, sign up for the NZTA Waikato regional maintenance newsletter
Council's road network
For information about work underway on Council roads, please visit our roads page.
New work about to be carried out is on:
- Matapaua Bay Road,Opīto Bay from Monday 8 December for about three days.
- Harriet Kings Road, near Port Charles from Thursday 11 December for about three days.
Visit our roads page for all the info
We’re getting ready for summer
Our teams have been hard at work preparing the district for the busy season ahead. From sprucing up public spaces to making sure everything is safe and welcoming, there’s a lot that goes on behind the scenes.
Here’s a glimpse of the Robinson Rd Boat Ramp in Whitianga getting a fresh clean — just one of the many steps we take to keep our district looking its best for locals and visitors alike.
Stay up-to-date by signing up for our weekly wrap-up newsletter here, where we’ll share more of the work happening across the district this summer.
We’re doing our very best to get everything 'ship-shape' for your summer holidays, but we can’t be everywhere at once and — just like everyone else —we’re working around time and weather constraints. If something needs our attention, please submit a Request for Service online at www.tcdc.govt.nz/rfs.
If it’s urgent, call us on 07 868 0200 (available 24/7) so we can respond right away.
Thanks for your patience and support as we get our district ready for another fantastic summer
Make a Request for Service now
Weed work in Matarangi
Starting Monday 8 December, we’ll be working to control problem weeds, including gorse, in the back dunes of the Pines Reserve.
This work will take place over several days (weather permitting) and may involve spraying, cutting and pasting or hand-pulling weeds.
Please keep an eye out for warning signs and cones and stay clear of the area while work is underway.
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.
Kuranui Bay Reserve Stormwater Improvement Project
We’re pleased to inform you that the Kuranui Bay Reserve Stormwater Improvement Project is almost complete. Thank you to the community for your patience throughout the construction period.
While our contractors have a small amount of work left to finish, there will be no further disruptions to the reserve such as fenced-off areas.
Key improvements include:
- re-formed stormwater swales to improve water flow
- safer 'scruffy dome' lids replacing grated manhole covers.
These upgrades will help manage stormwater more effectively during heavy rainfall, ensuring water discharges safely to the northern end of the beach and reducing upstream accumulation around road cesspits.
Thank you again for your patience while we complete these important works.
Temporary closure Kūaotunu Black Jack toilets
Kūaotunu Black Jack toilets will closed for about a week, starting on Monday 8 December, for maintenance ahead of the busy summer holidays.
Portaloos will be available during the closure.
An alternative toilet is at Kūaotunu domain.
Other news
Economic development 2025 news wrap up
It's been a year of ideas, innovation, collaboration and progress, and it's all recorded in our Economic Development Team's quarterly newsletter.
The newsletter covers the latest economic insights and inclusive development wins. It's got news on the Kōpū Wharf campaign, Hauraki Māori business awards and women-led start-ups.
Read the newsletter
Whitianga north change of kerbside collection day
Heads up properties at the northern end of Whitianga – your kerbside collection day has changed.
From December, Council has moved the northern part of Whitianga from the Whitianga kerbside collection area into the Mercury Bay North kerbside collection area. That means if you live or have property north of Ohuka Farm Drive your collection day has now moved from a Tuesday to a Wednesday.
We’re aware that some collections in this area haven’t always been happening on time, so we're hoping this change will improve the service in your area.
Collection calendars are available online or at Council offices, transfer stations or visitor information centres.
Get your Mercury Bay North kerbside collection calendar here
LIMs over Christmas
If you want to receive a Land Information Memorandum (LIM) before Christmas, hurry to get your application in today, Friday 5 December, for standard and commercial LIMs.
For priority LIMs please get your application in by Wednesday 17 December.
Applications received after these dates will be delivered after Monday 12 January 2026.
Our normal LIM service resumes on Monday 12 January.
By law, LIMs must be completed within 10 working days, but the period from 20 December to 10 January in any year is excluded from the definition of working days.
Apply for a LIM
Building and Planning Consent Christmas processing times
We'd like to remind you that both the Building Act 2004 and the Resource Management Act 1991 pause the statutory processing clock over the Christmas and New Year period.
This means that from Friday 20 December to Friday 10 January, the processing timeframe of 20 working days will be on hold.
Find out more about consents
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 their weighbridges are serviced then calibrated. The transfer stations below 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.
Find out details of our Refuse and Recycling Transfer Stations
Expression of Interest – Lease of Council property
at 200a Mary Street, Thames
The Council invites Expressions of Interest from community groups or commercial enterprises interested in leasing a two-storey building which was originally the caretaker’s cottage for the Memorial Hall.
The property is suitable for a variety of uses, including office space, community services or light commercial activity. Please note: no dedicated car parking is available.
Interested parties are asked to provide a brief overview of your organisation or business, the proposed use, preferred lease terms and contact details.
Expressions of Interest close at 5pm on Friday 18 December 2025.
For further information or to arrange a viewing, please contact Nicole Miell (Lease Specialist) on 07 868 0200 or email nicole.miell@tcdc.govt.nz
Job opportunities
We offer a diverse range of career opportunities. Our current job vacancies are:
Thames Coromandel District Council Jobs - Join Our Team
Save the date: Hauraki Coromandel Business Awards 2026
The Hauraki Coromandel Business Awards are set for 15 October 2026 at the Thames War Memorial Civic Centre. This event will bring together 150 local businesspeople from across the Hauraki, Coromandel and the wider Waikato region for an evening of celebration, networking and recognition.
This biennual event is a chance to recognise and celebrate the incredible businesses that make our region thrive.
Your financial support and commitment to recognising excellence enable us to shine a spotlight on outstanding businesses and foster the future growth of those who enter, become finalists and win.
Sponsorship is an excellent way to:
- gain exposure for your business across the region
- enjoy a night out with industry leaders
- support and celebrate fellow businesses in our community.
Naming rights sponsorship – the ultimate opportunity
This premium package includes:
✔ Extensive media coverage throughout 2026
✔ Logo and name placement on all awards collateral
✔ Tickets to the awards night
✔ Speaking rights at the ceremony
✔ Presentation of the Supreme Award and Service to Business Award
If you are interested in being a sponsor of the 2026 Hauraki-Coromandel Business Awards, please email our Economic Development Advisor Lisa Church to secure your sponsorship or discuss any questions: lisa.church@tcdc.govt.nz.
Find out more