Tough choices for lower rates, what you need to know for Easter & more
Published on 02 April 2026
Tough choices for lower rates
From Monday, we started asking our communities to consider how we can best keep rates as affordable as possible for 2026/27 and we’ve had a strong response already.
We have put several trade-offs on the table to keep district-wide average rates increases to 3.77%, instead of the 13% increase we'd be looking at if we delivered what we originally planned to do for the coming financial year in the Long Term Plan.
There are four key proposals we’re seeking feedback on:
• reducing mowing and garden maintenance
• reducing opening hours at some Refuse and Recycling Transfer Stations
• increasing fees and introducing new charges
• reducing selected rates remissions
Go to our website to learn more about our proposals, see the dates and locations of opportunities to talk to elected members and staff, and find out how to provide your feedback - our consultation closes on 28 April.
Have your say now
What's happening over Easter weekend?
Offices and District Libraries
Our offices (including AA services) and district libraries will be closed from Good Friday through to Easter Monday. You can still reach us 24/7 at 07 868 0200 or customer.services@tcdc.govt.nz.
Dog Restrictions
Please keep your dog on a lead in urban areas such as town centres and roads. Look out for Council’s traffic light signage as restrictions are in place over the Easter long weekend, check the rules in your area at tcdc.govt.nz/dogownerguide.
Thames Pool
Thames Centennial Pool will be closed on Good Friday and Easter Monday, tcdc.govt.nz/pools
Rubbish and Recycling Services
Check out your rubbish and recycling services over the Easter holidays and the week following. Calendars and all the info you need on kerbside collections are on our website tcdc.govt.nz/bindays.
Refuse and Recycling Transfer Stations (RTS)
Our RTS are open over the Easter period except for Good Friday 3 April. Please note that after Daylight Savings ends, from Sunday 5 April, the hours will return to 8.30am - 4.30pm. See tcdc.govt.nz/rts for more.
Help for rural communities impacted by storms
Still feeling the effects from recent storm events?
The Government has announced free online workshops specifically for rural communities.
The Weathering the Storm workshops explore anxiety, stress and heightened emotions associated with severe weather, and the range of impacts extreme weather can have on individuals, whānau and communities.
Extreme weather events have a significant impact on properties and infrastructure, and on people’s mental health.
The two-day workshops are on Thursday 30 April and Friday 1 May (2.30pm – 4.30pm) and on Wednesday 27 May and Thursday 28 May (10am – 12pm).
People taking part will discover the emotional phases of a disaster, how to manage anxiety and distress, and ways to build resilience. They’ll also get practical advice on how to support others, including children, and examine the unequal impacts of extreme weather on different sectors of society.
Remember, it’s okay to not feel okay. Recovery after a storm event can take time and there are different journeys for everyone.
More workshop info: Weathering the Storm - Blueprint for Learning
More info on our Recovery efforts: Our January 2026 Storm Recovery progress | TCDC
More info on where else you can get help: Our January 2026 Storm Recovery progress | TCDC
Soft plastics recycling success
You can recycle your clean, soft plastics at 17 locations around the district. The range of soft plastics you can deposit include: plastic bags and soft plastic wrapping, bubble wrap, cling film, light foil and plastic packets such as chippie bags and plastic netting (like that used for bags or citrus fruit). Check out our web page below for the full list. Please note that this list is what the reprocessing/recycling plant can use due to the structure of the plastics.
Under the scheme your soft plastics are turned into fenceposts and building materials.
Our Council works in partnership with The Packaging Forum to provide this service in our district.
Find out more
Have your say on the proposed policy for community funding
Across the Coromandel, communities are doing incredible things - restoring environments, running events, improving facilities, and supporting wellbeing. Council funding helps many of these initiatives happen.
Our current policy for grants is outdated, so we’re proposing a new Community Funding Policy that provides clearer guidance and a more streamlined approach to supporting community-led initiatives.
We want to hear from anyone with an interest in community funding, including iwi, community groups, volunteers, event organisers, residents and ratepayers.
Feedback is open until 1 May 2026.
You can read the consultation document, view the proposed policy, and share your feedback at tcdc.govt.nz/fundingfeedback.
Kennedy Bay Road closure
Kennedy Bay Road will be closed from its southern end for culvert replacement and pavement dig out works. If you're coming from Kennedy Bay, the closure will be a little south of Tokatea Hill Lookout, where there is space to turn around.
Our contractor Ventia will close the road from Monday 13 April to Friday 17 April at 8:30am each day and open the road for 30 minutes from 12noon to 12:30pm. The road will be reopened at 4pm each day.
See further details and map here
Groundwater monitoring installation in Thames after Easter
Waikato Regional Council plans to install two small groundwater monitoring bores in Thames - at Porritt Park and outside the Thames District Library (Rotary Park) on Thursday 9 April.
The monitoring will collect long-term information about groundwater including the linkage to tides and sea-level rise. While groundwater isn’t a major risk right now, the data will help inform future planning decisions.
During installation, small areas may be temporarily fenced off for safety, but parks, walkways and the library will remain open. There will be minimal disruption such as a safety fencing.
The project is funded and led by Waikato Regional Council, with Thames-Coromandel District Council supporting site access and public safety.
Hetherington Road Stormwater Improvement Project: Phase 2 update
Schick Civil Construction will return to Hetherington Road in the week ending 10 April to begin the second phase of the Stormwater Improvement Project.
This stage will complete the upgrade of the existing stormwater network, replacing pipes with a new 900mm pipeline. That will significantly improve drainage capacity and help reduce surface flooding in the area.
During construction, traffic management will be in place. There will be periods of single‑lane traffic on the northern side of the road, and a temporary detour may be required at times.
Work is expected to be completed by mid‑June 2026.
Thank you for your patience as we finish these important upgrades.
Find out more about the project here
Hauraki Rail Trail Karangahake Gorge section reopened
Great news ahead of Easter: the Hauraki Rail Trail cycling route is now open from Paeroa all the way through to Waikino. The Karangahake Gorge tunnel has been reopened after remedial work - cyclists need to dismount and wheel their bikes through.
And don’t forget the earlier section (closest to our district) Kaiaua to Thames is open for glorious coastal cycling – easy flat cycling or walking, as is the Thames to Paeroa and beyond section.
Ka rawe! Great work Hauraki Rail Trail! Happy cycling everyone. Pass on the news to your visitors or cycling mates over Easter and the school holidays.
Find out more
Whangamatā Community Library
We know the closure of the Whangamatā Community Library due to water ingress into the building and mould issues has left a real gap for the community, and we appreciate your patience and understanding.
Our District Library team is working closely with Community Library staff and volunteers to identify a suitable alternative space in Whangamatā, so library services can continue as locally as possible. If you have suggestions for a potential space, we’d love to hear from you — please get in touch and let us know: thameslibrary@tcdc.govt.nz.
Once arrangements are confirmed, we’ll share an update with the community. In the meantime, all loan due dates have been extended, books can be returned to the Thames‑Coromandel District Council service centre (620 Port Road), and library members can continue to access our digital library services at tcdc.govt.nz/libraries.
Thank you for your ongoing support of your community library.
Community libraries in our district are run independently of our Council but receive annual operating grants.
School holiday fun starts at our District Libraries
The April school holidays are nearly here, and our Thames, Tairua and Mercury Bay District Libraries have a great line-up of free activities. Drop in during the holidays to enjoy games, crafts, challenges and fun activities.
Sessions take place on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays,10:30am-11:30am, are free of charge, and do not require bookings unless stated. Activities are first in, first served, with limited supplies available.
Other highlights include the Charlotte’s Web Escape Room at Thames Library, the Easter Escape Box and Mini Golf at Tairua Library (bookings required), and a wide range of drop-in fun at Mercury Bay Library, including LEGO, activity tables, giant outdoor chess (weather permitting), and Mini Movie Wednesdays.
Bring the kids along, invite a friend, and make the most of our District Libraries these school holidays - there’s something for everyone to enjoy!
See more here