Marking Matariki, thinking ahead on local government
Published on 09 July 2026
Ngā mihi o te tau hou. | Greetings of the Māori New Year.
Māori believe that the appearance of the star cluster Matariki in the morning sky in mid-winter marks the Māori New Year. It is a time to remember those who have passed, to celebrate the present, to plan for the future, and spend time with whānau and loved ones.
The Coromandel is gearing up to celebrate the Māori New Year with a wide range of community events. These include dawn ceremonies, bonfire nights, hāngī, star-gazing expeditions, whānau activity days, creative activities and a fishing competition.
Check out Matariki events in our district
Give three minutes this Matariki to help shape TCDC's future
Matariki is a time to reflect on where we've come from and think about where we're going.
With just six days left to have your say, now is the time to be part of an important conversation about the future of local government in the Thames-Coromandel.
As part of a government-led review of local government, Thames-Coromandel District Council is considering three possible future options for our district:
- Greater Waikato
- Northern Bay of Plenty
- Eastern Waikato
Before Council decides the preferred direction, we want to hear what matters most to our communities.
Take just a few minutes this Matariki weekend to learn about the options and share your views. Your feedback will help inform Council's response and preferred option.
Three options. One future. Six days left. Have your say before feedback closes on 15 July.
Share your views now
Understanding changes to Council fees and charges
Following consultation on our Tough choices for lower rates approach, Elected Members decided to increase fees and charges to help keep general rates increases lower. An average increase of around 13% across fees and charges was put to the community and was the preferred option among respondents who engaged with the proposal.
These changes are not about increasing service levels, but about how the cost of those services is shared. There are always trade-offs, and the decision was to shift a greater proportion of costs to those who directly use certain services.
We were transparent with the community about this approach and sought feedback through consultation. After considering that feedback, Elected Members made the decision to adopt a stronger “user pays” model as part of a broader effort to balance affordability, fairness and sustainable service delivery.
This approach also helps address ongoing cost pressures such as inflation, infrastructure renewal and external factors outside Council control.
Look at our Annual Plan, fees and charges and other details
Variable Speed Limit signs installed outside schools
Installation of Variable Speed Limit (VSL) signs outside local schools has now been completed, helping to improve safety for students and their communities.
You may have already noticed the new signs in operation outside schools. VSL signs lower speed limits during busy school travel times and return to the road’s standard speed limit when student activity is minimal. Schools can also work with Council and its road operation and maintenance contractor to activate the signs during special events when needed.
Most urban schools now operate with a 30km/h during school travel times, while some rural schools operate with a 60km/h limit, depending on the road environment.
Thank you to our school communities, local residents and road users for their patience and support while these signs were installed. By slowing down and taking care around schools, we can all help create safer journeys for tamariki and whānau.
Tairua coastal protection
Our Council is inviting the Tairua community to help shape future conversations about coastal protection.
A public meeting on 15 July will launch a community survey focused on the impacts of recent storms, flooding and other extreme weather events. Residents, businesses and workers are encouraged to share their experiences, helping build a clearer understanding of how these events are affecting daily life, health and wellbeing.
Community feedback will complement ongoing technical and scientific investigations and will help inform future discussions about coastal protection options, including how potential solutions could be funded in a fair and affordable way.
Everyone is welcome to attend, ask questions and be part of the conversation.
When: 3pm, Wednesday 15 July
Where: Tairua Golf & Country Club, 283 Main Road, Tairua
New online boat ramp launch system
Getting out on the water is now easier and more convenient. Our Council has introduced a new online boat ramp launch system in partnership with Stellar, a trusted provider of boat ramp and parking solutions across New Zealand.
Designed with users in mind, the new system makes launching simpler and more efficient, while ensuring a smooth transition with minimal disruption for regular boat ramp users.
✅ Your launching vehicle licence plate is your permit.
✅ No physical permits required
✅ Manage everything online, anytime
Find out more
Whitianga Town Hall upgrade
Good news for Whitianga Town Hall users — it’s reopening on Saturday 11 July after a much-needed refurbishment, giving it a brighter, more modern look.
Contractor Marius Lloyd (right) handed over the keys to TCDC Recreation Facilities Manager Larissa Doherty (left) ahead of Matariki weekend.
All the walls in the main hall have been repainted and damaged particle board has been replaced. New vinyl has been laid in the main hall, outside the supper room and in the men’s bathroom. The area at the entrance has been turned into a cloakroom. Two toilets in the men’s bathroom have been replaced. Old broken equipment such as wall heaters and an old pulley system have been removed.
The next stage of the upgrade is planned for this financial year, including repairing the roof, installing ceiling tiles and polyurethaning the main floor, then remarking it for various sports.
Find out more about Whitianga Town Hall and how to book it
Pepe Stream Bridge works underway
Acting Mayor John Grant (centre) joined Coromandel MP Scott Simpson (left) and Fulton Hogan project manager Dale McElhinny (right) to walk across Tairua’s new temporary pedestrian bridge over Pepe Stream which opened this week.
Full construction will begin next week on the bridge replacement, following on from enabling works in May 2026. From next week, the old footbridge will be demolished, making way for construction of the first lane of the new bridge, including a shared path.
Early next year, traffic will be switched onto that new lane, allowing the 83-year-old bridge to be demolished and the second lane of the new bridge to be built. NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi expects the project to be completed by December 2027.
