Open for visitors, service changes for Waitangi Day, updates and more
Published on 05 February 2026
Thames-Coromandel is back in business and ready for visitors
All roads are open in the Coromandel ahead of this Waitangi Day long weekend, and hospitality businesses are putting out the welcome mat.
“Folks we’re back, the Coromandel Peninsula is open and we’re here ready and waiting for you to come and visit this Waitangi weekend,” said Mayor Peter Revell. “We’ve cleaned up, we’ve shaken off the storm and we’ve got everything ready for you to come and visit.”
Our council’s roading and water services teams, as well as NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi and the Department of Conservation have moved mountains – of slip debris – to reopen roads, get water flowing and reopen tracks and campgrounds.
The gems of the district – Cathedral Cove, Hot Water Beach, the Pinnacles, the surf beaches of Whangamatā, historic Coromandel Town and Thames, the rugged north – are open and accessible.
Check our TCDC website for updates on council roads, and the NZTA and DOC websites for State Highways and campgrounds and tracks.
“The emergency has passed and our ongoing recovery will be helped by seeing tourists and visitors enjoy everything that our district offers – hospitality, adventure, beaches, history and above all, our people,” said Mayor Revell.
“Welcome back this weekend.”
Community Board catch ups
Our Community Boards met this week for their first meeting of 2026.
All Boards received a report from our Council’s Community Management team updating them on the draft Community Funding Policy and upcoming targeted engagement.
Council resolved to prepare a new grants policy in 2024 and adopted the Draft Community Grants and Service Agreements Framework for targeted engagement in September 2025.
Next steps:
Coromandel-Colville Community Board highlights
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Supported a request from the Coromandel Independent Living Trust to exercise its Final Right of Renewal on the lease of the premises at 100 Pound Street, Coromandel. The Final Right of Renewal will be for a period of five (5) years, from 1 March 2026 to 28 February 2031.
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Approved a recommendation to grant a Licence to Occupy and allow the construction of a privately owned access bridge within the Council Road Reserve at 720 Hauraki Road, Coromandel. The bridge will not restrict public use of the road. All design, consenting, construction and ongoing maintenance costs will be met by the applicants, at no cost to Council. An amendment was made requiring Council to ensure wetland planting is completed as proposed in the application.
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Endorsed a recommendation to initiate a statutory road stopping process to remove the ‘road’ status of a portion of unformed road reserve adjoining 398 Colville Road, Oamaru Bay (Lot 18 DPS 7432). The undeveloped land does not serve any other properties or public areas and is not required by Council for any current or future roading purposes. Council will engage a registered valuer to determine the market value of the road parcel. All associated costs, including valuation, survey, legal and processing fees, will be met by the applicant.
Mercury Bay Community Board highlights
At its first meeting of the year the Board had a busy public forum with speakers from a wide range of community members and groups including Matarangi Ratepayers Association, Matarangi Boat & Fishing Club, Grey Power Mercury Bay and Mercury Bay Art Escape.
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Supported several Mercury Bay locations to be given 'Poppy Place' status in recognition of the military history associated with the sites. This included: Bongard Rd and Dakota Drive (Whitianga), Radar Road (Hot Water Beach), WWW Memorial Forest (Kaimarama), Whenuakite Memorial and Bravo ’61 Memorial (Rings Beach). It also approved $750 from its discretionary funding as a contribution to the project.
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Declined a request for $2,880 of discretionary funding assistance from Grey Power Mercury Bay Inc. for two people to attend the 2026 Grey Power Federation AGM in June. The Mercury Bay Community Board has a Discretionary Fund of $55,512 for the 2025/2026 financial year. To date $12,278 has already been allocated from this budget, leaving $43,234 available for allocation. The Board noted the cost didn’t need to be funded by ratepayers, and associations in general would expect to pay their own attendance costs.
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Received the ‘Multi-use Layout and Safety Improvements for Omaro Recreation Reserve - Matarangi' report dated 16 January 2026, which recommended that the Board support the Omaro Reserve Concept Design prepared by local landscape architect Chloe Watts. After discussion, it resolved to defer the decision until its April meeting. An amendment was also made to request that staff do further work including a final recommendation to be discussed with key stakeholders that would include costing.
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Recommended that Council approves the Deed of Assignment of Lease from The Scout Association of New Zealand to the Whitianga Community Menz Shed Trust for the Premises at 90 Moewai Road, Whitianga. It also recommended the approval of a new sublease between the Whitianga Community Menz Shed Trust and the Whitianga Lions based on their existing sublease with The Scout Association of NZ. A previous sub-lease was approved between The Scout Association of New Zealand and the Whitianga Lions by Council on 3 August 2021. The Board noted that Menz Shed Trust was a large group with well-established financial support, and was agreeable to the transfer. The current lease expires in 2028.
See agendas for the Whangamatā, Thames and Tairua-Pāuanui Community Board meetings next week here.
Kerbside collections
Our peak summer kerbside collections finish this week. Our contractors will be working on Waitangi Day, Friday 6 February, so there are no changes to collections.
All of the district returns to alternating yellow week (mixed recycling bin, glass crate and food scraps bin) and red week (rubbish bin and foods scraps bin) on Monday 9 February.
Check your bin days here
Contamination risk in Whangapoua Harbour
Following the severe weather event last week, the Matarangi Wastewater Treatment Plant experienced high wastewater inflows, causing elevated pond levels and resulting in an overflow from the treatment ponds. The plant is maximising the treatment capacity for reducing the pond level. The risk of contamination remains high. The public is advised not to swim, fish or collect shellfish in the Whangapoua Harbour until further notice.
Roading updates
Storm recovery continues across the district, with some sites reduced to one lane, including a 2-kilometre stop/go section at Pumpkin Hill, north of Tairua. Full stabilisation work is expected to continue throughout February. See more updates here.
The NZ Transport Agency (Waka Kotahi) has announced they will close SH25 south of Kūaotunu in both directions for up to three days from 9am Monday 9 February to repair storm damage above the road. Further details on this closure here.
North Coromandel campsites reopen as clean-up continues
People planning on naturing in the Coromandel Peninsula over the Waitangi Day weekend will be able to enjoy three of the five idyllic Department of Conservation campsites. Read more here.
Managing grass growth in our parks
You may notice some of the grass in our parks and reserves is looking a bit longer than usual at the moment.
With plenty of recent rain and warm growing conditions, grass growth has been rapid across the district. Two short working weeks in a row have also meant we haven’t been able to get through our usual mowing schedule as quickly as normal.
Our parks crews are working through priority sites first and will continue mowing as conditions allow.
Thanks for your patience while we catch up and get parks back to their usual standard.
After
a successful inaugural event in 2025, Waitangi ki Whitianga is returning with another whānau fun day at Te Whitianga-nui-a-Kupe to commemorate the signing of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, taking place on Friday 6 February 2026 from 10am to 2pm, with a whakatau at 9:30am, at Buffalo Beach Reserve in Whitianga.
See more here.
Get creative: Coromandel arts funding
Local artists and creative groups, it’s your chance to bring your ideas to life! Applications for the Creative Communities Scheme are open, offering funding to support arts projects across our district.
This funding round 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
