Rates rebates, business awards and protecting what matters
Published on 07 August 2026
Rates rebates help clinics
Get support for applying for a rates rebate up to $830 from Te Tari Taiwhenua | the Department of Internal Affairs for this financial year.
Rebates depend on your income, your dependants and the amount of your rates. To apply you need to be the legal ratepayer and the property has to be your residence (not used mainly for business or farming purposes).
Application forms are online now. You can start applying as soon as you receive your rates bill.
Need help applying? We're offering support clinics across the district.
Book now for a Thames session. All other sessions are drop-in.
Thames
10-14 August
Thames Service Centre
Phone 07 868 0200 to book an appointment. |
Tairua
Tuesday 11 August, 9am-4pm
Tairua Library
No appointment needed. |
Pāuanui
Wednesday 12 August, 9am-12 noon
Pāuanui Community Hub, 23 Centreway
No appointment needed. |
Other locations
You can also get help at our Coromandel Town, Whitianga and Whangamatā offices during office hours until 30 June 2027.
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Find out more
Read the full story here
Council welcomes High Court decision following serious dog attack
Thames-Coromandel District Council welcomes the High Court's decision to dismiss an appeal against convictions arising from a serious dog attack in Tairua. The High Court upheld the original findings of the District Court and dismissed the appeal.
Group Manager Regulatory and Planning, Brian Taylor, said the outcome reflects the importance of responsible dog ownership and the role councils play in protecting public safety.
"This was an extremely serious attack that had a significant impact on the victim. Council has a responsibility to investigate incidents of this nature and take appropriate action where warranted. We are pleased the Courts have upheld the original decision.
"This case is a reminder of the importance of keeping dogs under effective control. The Courts found the dogs involved were not under their owner's control, and the consequences of that failure were extremely serious."
Read the full story here
Last of the Imagine Coromandel Peninsula sessions
This week marked the last of our Imagine Coromandel Peninsula community engagement sessions for the first phase of the spatial plan project.
A big thank you to the members of the community who joined us at the sessions held across the district in Coromandel, Whangamatā, Thames, Colville, Tairua, Pāuanui and Whitianga.
It's been valuable hearing directly from locals about the places they love, the challenges and opportunities they see ahead, and their aspirations for future generations.
We’ve had a fantastic response to this campaign so far, and there are still a few more days before engagement formally closes next week on 12 August. Until then, people can continue to share their thoughts online at tcdc.govt.nz/imagine.
The feedback we have received during this phase of engagement will be used to confirm the vision and outcomes for the spatial plan and shape the next phase of the project, where we will consider potential options for the future of the district.
Find out more here
Hauraki Coromandel Business Awards
A huge thank you to everyone who entered the Hauraki Coromandel Business Awards and to those who took the time to nominate businesses for our People's Choice and Service to Business Awards. We're thrilled to share that we received:
- 75 business award entries
- 151 People's Choice nominations
- 13 Service to Business nominations
These outstanding numbers reflect the strength, innovation and passion of businesses across Hauraki and Thames-Coromandel. We are incredibly grateful to everyone who has participated and helped celebrate the achievements of our local business community.
Public voting for the People's Choice Awards opens on Monday 10 August and closes on Sunday 23 August.
One award will be presented for each district - People's Choice Thames-Coromandel and People's Choice Hauraki. Vote for your favourite local business and help recognise the businesses that make Hauraki and Thames-Coromandel such great places to live, work and visit. This is an opportunity for the public to show their appreciation and support for outstanding local businesses that go above and beyond for their customers and communities.
Our judging panel will begin reviewing applications at the end of this week. We know there is an exceptional field of entrants this year, and we wish all participants the very best as they progress through the judging process.
Find out more about our judges here.
Keep up to date with all the latest awards news, finalist announcements and event updates by following the Hauraki Coromandel Business Awards on Facebook.
Follow us on Facebook here.
Thank you again for your support and for helping us celebrate business excellence across our Hauraki and Thames-Coromandel districts.
Tairua Coastal Protection survey
If you live or own property or a business in the wider Tairua area – from Sailors Grave, Tairua town, down to Pāuanui and Hikuai – we want to hear from you. Take part in our survey to share your experiences of how recent severe weather has affected your daily life, health, wellbeing, working life or business.
Your feedback will be important in exploring fair, affordable ways to fund potential coastal protection.
As well as a survey for people who live or own homes in the area, there’s an additional survey for business owners.
The survey should take about 10 minutes to complete and is open until Thursday 13 August. Paper copies are available at Tairua Library.
Many thanks for your help in informing future planning.
Calling all local artists and creative groups
Got a creative idea you’ve been itching to bring to life? Applications for the Creative Communities Scheme are open, with funding available for arts projects across our district.
You can apply for projects taking place between 1 October 2026 and 1 October 2027. Applications close Friday 28 August 2026.
Backed by Creative New Zealand, the scheme supports projects that:
- increase access to and participation in the arts
- celebrate the diversity of our communities
- create opportunities for young people to get involved
Funding can support everything from exhibitions, performances, festivals and workshops to youth arts projects, artist-led community initiatives and projects celebrating local and cultural traditions.
Find out if your project is eligible and apply online now
Protecting historic kauri
Visitors to Long Bay Reserve, near Coromandel Town, are urged to help protect the area’s historic kauri from disease by staying on the path and following instructions for cleaning footwear.
The largest kauri, estimated to be about 1200 years old, has tested positive for the pathogen that causes kauri dieback disease. It’s being treated with phosphites to curb the harmful effects of the pathogen, but the tree is showing signs of decline, and it is not certain whether the tree will survive.
The most important step walkers can take is to stay on the track . Alongside cleaning and disinfecting footwear at the start of the track, this will help preserve all the kauri in the area.
We're also stepping up surveillance so we can see if people are going off track and where this happens, so we can take further measures to preserve the kauri.
Find out more
NZTA speed review
State Highway 25 at Te Rerenga, Whenuakite, and Moewai Road/South Highway West are among locations being considered for slower speed limits.
NZ Transport Agency has opened a consultation on proposals to change speed limits throughout the Waikato, including the three Coromandel locations listed.
- SH25 Te Rerenga (east of Quarry Road to south of the Whangapoua Road intersection) – proposal to permanently change the speed limit from 80km/h to 60km/h.
- SH25 Whenuakite (west of Hot Water Beach Road to east of Hot Water Beach Road) – proposal to permanently change the speed limit from 80km/h to 60km/h.
- SH25/South Highway West/Moewai Road (Whitianga) – proposal to install an Intersection Speed Zone (ISZ) to take the speed limit from 80km/h to 60km/h when the electronic sign is activated for a short time.
The proposed changes are expected to have little effect on overall travel times while improving also improving safety.
The consultation forms is open until 27 August 2026.
Find out more