Tourism levy funding, rates questions, Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori and more

Published on 11 September 2026

Tourism Levy funding is welcome, but doesn’t address the full issue

Mayor of Thames-Coromandel District Council, Peter Revell, says it’s great to see recognition of the impact of high visitor numbers: direct funding to councils is something local government has sought for years.

But he says the current proposal risks disadvantaging visitor destinations with relatively few medium-to-large accommodation providers: Only data from accommodation providers with six units or more will be used to assess visitor bed-nights.

Peter Revell says the level of funding wouldn’t reflect the true number of international visitors to the district because it wouldn’t include stays in Airbnbs.

“The funding is great news for places like Rotorua with lots of hotels, but Thames-Coromandel is a different type of destination. It’s ironic because one of the reasons people like coming here is that we offer a laid-back lifestyle, not glitzy hotels”.

Being driving distance from cruise ship ports in Tauranga and Auckland means Thames-Coromandel has a further disadvantage: Busloads of passengers flock to iconic spots like Cathedral Cove but return to the ship to sleep.

Thames-Coromandel’s potential share of the International Visitor Levy isn’t listed in the funding policy document, but Deputy Mayor John Grant has run the figures. His analysis shows that, with a 1.36% share of the national pot, the district would get just $1.17 million in the first year (2027/28), and a total of $5.22 million over four years.

Peter Revell is asking National to consider a comprehensive plan to ensure equitable support for councils. Two practical changes would be to include stays with small commercial providers (like Book-a-Bach and Air B n B), and to bolster the pool by extending the levy to Australian visitors. He would also like to see recognition of the disproportionate effect of high tourist numbers on smaller centres.

"Per head of population, visitor infrastructure costs Thames-Coromandel ratepayers far more than it costs ratepayers in Auckland or Queenstown."

Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori

Nau mai, hoki mai rā Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori. Māori Language Week is back from the from Monday 14 September to Sunday 20 September. This theme for this year is “Tāone Reo Māori | Te Reo Towns”. Thames-Coromandel District has a wealth of Māori placenames: aren’t we lucky?

Did you know that using macrons (the line over a vowel lengthening it, e.g. Māori) and correct pronunciation can make a big difference to the meaning of a name? For example: Whangamatā means the bay of obsidian, whereas Whangamata would mean the bay of an eye. Click here for a guide on how to spell our local place names.

Big city or small town, te reo Māori is for everyone.

How will you be a part of the movement this year? Check out what others are doing here.

Kia kaha Te Reo Māori, give te reo Māori a go!

Celebrate Te Wiki o te Reo Māori at our libraries

Join us as we celebrate Te Wiki o te Reo Māori across our district libraries with activities and events for all ages. Learn new kupu (word) through a library scavenger hunt, explore Māori language resources and themed book displays, and enjoy special Te Wiki o te Reo Māori Toddler Time sessions in Mercury Bay and Thames.

At Tairua Library, you can also join the weekly intermediate-level te reo Māori conversation group to practise your language skills in a welcoming environment. Feeling creative? Design a wearable art piece inspired by te ao Māori using recycled materials and take part in Tairua Library's Wearable Arts Fashion Show. Open to all ages, entries will be showcased on the runway, with a range of themes to inspire your creation.

Find out more here

Transfer Station hours update

Daylight saving starts on Sunday 27 September, and Refuse and Recycling Transfer Stations (RTS) across the district will move to daylight saving operating hours of 8.30am to 5.30pm.

Please note that Coromandel Town, Matarangi and Pāuanui RTS will only operate these hours until Sunday 4 October.

From Monday 5 October, these three transfer stations will move to new operating hours of: 10am to 3pm, seven days a week. You'll see signs like the one on the left at the entrances to these three transfer stations.

The change follows consultation through the Annual Plan process and is intended to improve the cost-efficiency of operating the district's least-used transfer stations.

Tairua, Thames, Whangamatā and Whitianga RTS will continue to operate standard daylight-saving hours of 8.30am to 5.30pm.

All transfer stations will remain open seven days a week, including most public holidays, at their applicable operating hours.

Special delivery – Whitianga’s replacement pontoon

Work on replacing the Whitianga Wharf pontoon is getting significantly closer to completion with the arrival of the replacement pontoon this week.

The pontoon’s sections were built off-site in Whangarei and were towed, via sea, to Whitianga on Tuesday.

Last week, the old pontoon and its piles were removed to make way for its replacement and work to install this has begun.

The southern side of the wharf will likely remain closed for several more days until installation is completed. During this time ferry users can still use the wharf as an alternative berth has been set up at the northern end.

A big thank you to the wharf and ferry users for your patience.

New Whitianga RTS progressing well: Construction of the new Whitianga Recycling and Refuse Transfer Station is progressing well with an official opening event planned for next month.The facility is expected to open to the public in November 2026, with the exact date to be confirmed closer to the time. There will also be a one-day closure of the existing site immediately before the new facility opens. This will allow for the transfer of machinery and equipment.

Pāuanui skate bowl closed: This facility is closed until early November while the skate bowl undergoes refurbishment. Find out more here >

Click here for local roading works updates

Join the 86th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain at a special remembrance ceremony on Sunday 13 September.

The commemorations will begin at 11am at Thames (Sir Keith Park Memorial) Airfield, 395 Ngāti Maru Highway, Thames. This event provides an opportunity to honour the courage and sacrifice of those who served during one of the defining air battles of World War II.

Did you know? Sir Keith Park lived his early life in Thames and then went on to a senior role in the Royal Air Force leading squadrons of fighter aircraft defending the London area in the aerial Battle of Britain.

Community members, veterans, families and visitors are warmly invited to attend and pay their respects as we reflect on this important chapter in history.

Help restore Whangamatā's dunes

Spring is the perfect time to get outdoors, meet like-minded people, and help protect our beautiful coastline.

Join the Coastcare team and the Whangamatā Dune Protection Society for dune planting and community working bees throughout September and October. Whether you're a long-time volunteer or keen to lend a hand for the first time, everyone is welcome.

Volunteers will help plant native dune species to support coastal restoration, followed by a hot drink and morning tea.