We’re flush with upgraded toilets ahead of summer
Published on 03 September 2025
Tourism Infrastructure Funding (TIF) from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment has augmented ratepayer – and in one case community – funding to provide new and upgraded toilets for key visitor areas around our district.
The upgrades have also included a new motor caravan dump station at Whangamatā. Check out what's been achieved so far ahead of the busy summer season – and a huge thank you to everyone who has helped to make it happen.
Cooks Beach Reserve | Funded by the Mercury Bay Ward ratepayers
The three-pan toilet and outdoor shower at Cooks Beach are open. We've replaced the bore and you’ll see some landscaping happening this week.
Below: Cooks Beach toilet (landscaping yet to be done)
Pūrangi Reserve | Funded by Mercury Bay Ward ratepayers
The five-pan toilet at Pūrangi is open with an outdoor shower and two family cubicles that include a bench and room to change.
Buffalo Beach, Whitianga | Funded by Mercury Bay Ward ratepayers and TIF
A four-pan toilet facility with two outdoor showers and a drinking fountain opens next week at Buffalo Beach. There are two family cubicles with a bench and room to change. Landscaping for a new front garden area will get underway this week.
Coromandel Bike Park | Funded by TIF
A single-pan vaulted toilet will open on Saturday 20 September at Ride Coromandel Bike Park on Hauraki Road in Coromandel Town. The bike park team has been busy doing landscaping work, and a community planting day is planned at the park at 10am on 20 September.
Below: Ride Coromandel Bike Park toilet
Waikawau, Thames Coast | Funded by Waikawau Boat Ramp Society, TIF and Thames Community Board with collaboration from Ngāti Tamaterā
A two-pan toilet facility and urinal room are nearing completion at Waikawau boat ramp, with funding from TIF, Waikawau Boat Ramp Society, Thames Community Board and artwork for the building organised by Ngāti Tamaterā. Site design was a collaboration between our Council, the boat ramp society and Ngāti Tamaterā. It was important to our iwi partner that the new facility has a wastewater treatment system due to the location and importance of the land to the iwi. Waikawau Boat Ramp Society will be doing landscaping work, including new bollards and planting. Portaloos are on site until the toilet opens towards the end of September.
Below left: Waikawau toilet facility (artwork is yet to be installed)
Matarangi | Funded by TIF
Work is set to begin later this month on a two-pan toilet facility and upgrade at Matarangi with an outdoor shower and drinking fountain. Due to the subdivision in the area, our Council can now connect to the mains wastewater and power supply. Both units will be accessible with a bench seat that can be used as a family changing area.
Kōpū | Funded by TIF
Work is to start towards the end of this month on the single-pan toilet on King Street, leading to the new Kōpū boat ramp. Ngāti Maru have arranged for an artwork from local Ngāti Maru artist Ricky Fisher.
Cory Wright Domain, Tairua | Joint funding from Tairua-Pāuanui Community Board and TIF
The women’s toilets attached to the Tairua Rugby Club have been demolished and a three-pan block is now taking shape. Last week the roof went on - a big milestone that means the building can now be made watertight. The new facility, designed by local architect Archikraft, should be complete by the beginning of October.
Port Rd, Whangamatā | Partially funded by Whangamatā Community Board and TIF
Work is well underway on a six-pan toilet and urinal room after the recent demolition of the old toilets. The new facility has been designed by local architect Archikraft and will help accommodate Whangamatā's increased visitor numbers over summer. It's opening at the end of September.
Whangamatā Dump Station | Funded by TIF
A new dump station was installed at Lindsay Road in Whangamatā in November 2024, designed in conjunction with the New Zealand Motor Caravan Association. This replaced the old one on Martyn Road.
Below: Whangamata's motor caravan dump station on Lindsay Road
