Local government reform latest, top rating in building control audit
Published on 22 May 2026
Council approach to local government reform
Thames-Coromandel District Council has already begun to assess the Government’s local government reform programme and decide how the district responds. Councillors will consider the next steps at an open session at the Council meeting on Thursday 26 May.
“The Government’s reforms could change how our district is governed, how decisions are made for ratepayers and communities, and how local voices are heard across the peninsula,” Mayor Peter Revell said. “Our job is to make sure whatever response we put forward reflects this district, and is not something designed by others.”
The 26 May Council report sets out the Government’s programme, and identifies a potential “Pace Setter” pathway developed by Council staff as a middle pathway between “Head Start” and “Back Stop”, allowing Thames-Coromandel to help shape future reform while ensuring decisions are informed, practical and locally grounded.
Mayor Peter Revell said it was important to understand that Council is beginning an open and transparent process so our communities, iwi, neighbouring councils and stakeholders can all be part of the conversations leading up to our recommended proposal.
View the report and livestream the meeting our website
Read our full Mayoral statement
Building Control Unit success
International Accreditation New Zealand’s (IANZ) biennial audit has confirmed that our Council’s Building Control Unit (pictured left) continues to meet all accreditation requirements and retains its Extra Low Risk status as a Building Consent Authority.
Our Council remains the only territorial authority in New Zealand to hold this rating, reflecting consistently strong processes, engaged and competent staff, and a well-established culture of quality assurance and continuous improvement.
Read more here
Be in to win one of five grab bags
Heard of the Hikurangi Subduction Zone? It’s a bit of a mouthful but it’s also our biggest earthquake and tsunami threat, should it strike.
Make sure you know what to do should The Big One hit and what local hazards to look out for by taking part in our fun five-question quiz to see who in your family or workplace can claim bragging rights and be in to win one of five grab bags!
Take part in the quiz now
Visitor emergency guides available
We’ve received feedback that some visitors to our district can feel confused or alarmed when they hear the local fire siren. In some other areas and countries, sirens can signal an evacuation due to tsunami or other emergencies, which is not the case here.
To support our Emergency Management Unit’s work in building informed and resilient communities, we’ve developed new visitor-focused flyers that explain what local sirens mean, where to find trusted information, and what to do in an emergency. These are designed to help visitors feel informed and avoid unnecessary panic.
Whangamatā Community Library to reopen
The Whangamatā Community Library will reopen at a premise on the corner of Port Road and Hunt Road after King’s Birthday Weekend.
The library closed in March 2026 after black mould was found inside the building.
Our Council will continue to support the library team during the move and reopening.
Feedback invited on shellfish gathering changes
The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) is inviting feedback on proposed changes to recreational shellfish gathering rules for the Auckland and Coromandel areas.The closing date for submissions is 5pm on Friday 12 June.
Find out more and have your say
Streetlight upgrades on Pollen Street, Thames: Streetlight replacement work will take place along Pollen Street in Thames from Sunday 24 May to Thursday 28 May, helping improve safety and street lighting in the area. Most of the work will be carried out at night (9pm–7.30am) under rolling road closures, with each section of Pollen Street worked on in stages. During the day, the road will remain open, with minor shoulder closures in place while footpaths around the new streetlights are reinstated. Details here >
Whitianga Joan Gaskell Drive roundabout works: Work is underway on a new roundabout and road upgrades on Joan Gaskell Drive in Whitianga, with construction running from until 30 July. Most of the work will take place under night‑time road closures (Sunday to Thursday, 9.30pm–6.30am), with detours in place for traffic travelling to and from the Whitianga town centre. During the day, the road will remain open under shoulder closures. Details here >
Tapu-Coroglen road closure: The road will be closed from 8am to 4pm each day, from Monday 25 May to Wednesday 3 June so that urgent maintenance work can be safely carried out on two bridges along the Road. Outside of these hours, the road is expected to reopen to traffic as normal, subject to weather conditions and construction progress. Details here >
Port Jackson Road stop/go: Parts of Port Jackson Road will be subject to stop/go with closures up to 50 minutes at a time between 7am and 6pm until about mid-June, weather permitting. Details here >
Whitianga Run Fest traffic management Saturday 30 May: Parts of Whitianga will be under traffic management (stop/go or footpath closures or caution alerts) while Whitianga Run Fest takes place from 8.30am to 1.30pm. Details here >