Our weekly wrap up: Ferry service resumes, labour weekend info & more
Published on 24 October 2025
Auckland-Coromandel ferry resumes this weekend
The much-anticipated and much-requested Auckland to Coromandel ferry resumes today – Friday 24 October – running from the Viaduct in Auckland to Hannaford’s Wharf near Coromandel Town and back again.
Explore Group is running the service as a trial over the summer until Easter.
The service will initially operate an express Friday evening service, as well as Saturday and Sunday departures, with the potential to increase the schedule with demand.
A shuttle bus included in the ticket price will take passengers to and from Coromandel Town and Hannaford’s Wharf. An onward service to Whitianga and back to Coromandel Town is available.
Passengers should make use of the shuttle service as parking at Hannaford’s is very limited. For the first two Saturdays there will be traffic management on Te Kouma Road at Hannaford’s Wharf to make sure ferry passengers and the buses can move safely.
Tonight's inaugural service is pretty busy and it's bound to be more popular as we head into peak summer so be sure you make your bookings well in advance to avoid disappointment. The approach to both the Coromandel and Auckland by sea is an experience not to be missed.
Find out more & make bookings
What's happening over Labour Weekend?
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State Highway temporary closures
Short, temporary closures of parts of State Highways 25 and 25A are planned in late October and November to allow NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi to carry out vital work to improve these key roads. Neither of the road closure periods will overlap. Waka Kotahi has worked hard in its planning to ensure there will be minimum disruption possible. Both sets of road upgrades will be finished well ahead of the peak holiday period.
SH25 Boundary Creek replacement: Starts Wednesday 29 October
SH25 Boundary Creek replacement
SH25 will be closed at Boundary Creek Bridge, north of Te Mata, for seven days from 5am on Wednesday 29 October as NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi contractors demolish the old deck and install the new one.
They will use a prefabricated bridge deck and work extended hours to keep the closure to the shortest possible time. Access will be maintained for all businesses and properties along SH25 up to the bridge from the north and the south, but no through traffic will be possible during this time.
To get to locations north of the bridge, including the Waikawau boat ramp, use SH25A and the eastern section of SH25 via Tairua and Whitianga. For those heading south from northern Coromandel, it will be the reverse.
Please avoid the 309 and Tapu-Coroglen Roads if you’re towing or driving a heavy vehicle.
Find out more
Please note: Kerbside collections in the areas affected by the SH25 closure – the Thames Coast, Coromandel Town and the Rural North - will take place on the usual days (which is a day later than normal the week following Monday Labour Day). However, the time of the day of collections may vary. Please put your bins out by 7.30am and be patient while our contractors service your area.
SH25A daytime closures: 2 weeks from 10 November
A reminder from NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi that SH25A will be closed from Kōpū to near Hikuai for two weeks from 10 November, Monday to Saturday 8am-5pm.
Major rebuilding is needed at two steep and narrow locations, that can't be done safely with traffic flowing.
The 8am closure points will be at each end of SH25A, at Kōpū and near Hikuai. Any vehicles on SH25A by 8am will get through, although there may be delays.
The highway will be open in the evenings after 5pm under stop-go.
The detour using SH25/SH2/SH26 adds about one hour to travel time.
Find out more
SH25 Moana Anu Anu, Whangamatā bridge closure from Tuesday 29 October
Moana Anu Anu Bridge on State Highway 25 south-west of Whangamatā will be closed to all traffic, including pedestrians and cyclists, from Tuesday 29 October to about Tuesday 9 December.
The closure runs 24/7.
The detour through Whangamatā will use Mayfair Avenue and Martyn Road, adding only a few minutes to normal journey times.
The closure is so that urgent repairs can take place to the bridge, including a full deck replacement, new safety barriers and resurfacing.
Kōpū boat ramp free launch period
In light of the upcoming SH25 road closure while work on a new bridge deck at Boundary Creek takes place, we’re making the Kōpū Boat Ramp and parking facility free to use from 28 October – 10 November.
We’ve teamed up with Waikawau Boat Ramp Society to offer this free period while access up the coast is affected. No passes are required, simply launch your boat and park for free during this time.
Our local Council road improvements
A reminder that our Council's contractors are making the most of the drier weather to carry out essential road maintenance and improvements on the district's other (non-State Highway) roads.
These works are timed to get ahead of the busy summer season, helping ensure safer and smoother travel for everyone. We’re working hard to minimise disruptions while addressing areas of the roading network that need attention.
Check out our road resealing schedule for next week
Hauraki Māori Business Awards Celebrate Māori Excellence and Innovation across the Region
The inaugural Hauraki Māori Business Awards 2025, held at the Silver Fern Farms Events Centre in Te Aroha, brought together more than 300 guests to honour Māori enterprise, innovation, and leadership across the Hauraki rohe.
The evening was a powerful celebration of Māori success, showcasing the ingenuity and cultural integrity of Māori businesses leading change. The event was graced by the presence of Te Arikinui Kuini Nga wai hono i te po, alongside Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke MP, Hon. Tama Potaka, mana whenua o Hauraki, local government mayors and councillors, marae representatives, kaumātua, and rangatahi from across the rohe.
Hosted by the Ngāti Tamaterā Treaty Settlement Trust, the awards recognise the remarkable achievements of Māori businesses that are not only driving economic growth, but also strengthening cultural identity, environmental stewardship, and community wellbeing.
See more here
Thames identity wins design awards
Tumeke! Great work on the Explore Thames brand which won two bronze awards in New Zealand’s top design awards, run by the Design Institute of New Zealand.
Huge congratulations to Brent Courtney of Brand Matter and the team who worked with him to develop the new brand identity, which includes a website, maps, street signs around the town and the branding of the new Information Centre.
The design, based on research into people’s ideas of Thames, uses historic fonts to promote Thames as an interesting place to explore – including interesting shops, natural adventures and history – to stop in the town, rather than just driving through on their way up the coast.
The initial work was funded by a $50,000 grant from the Ministry of Social Development, secured by Thames Community Board and Thames Business Association, with further promotional work funded by the Community Board.
Find out more about the Explore Thames promotion.
Halloween at the Library
It’s that spooky time of year again, and our district libraries are getting into the Halloween spirit with some frightfully fun activities for all ages.
Join our Thames and Tairua libraries for a Cluedo-style scavenger hunt! Can you solve the mystery - who did it, with what, and where?
Take on the Monster Scavenger Hunt at Mercury Bay Library and see if you can find the creatures lurking among the shelves… if you dare.
When: Friday 31 October
- Thames Library: 5:30pm – 7:30pm
- Tairua Library: 5:00pm – 8:00pm
- Mercury Bay Library: 3:00pm – 5:00pm
Mark your calendar—this is one spooky night you won’t want to miss!
Find out more
Public toilets closed for upgrades
Construction is currently underway on new public toilet facilities at Omaro Reserve (Boat Ramp) in Matarangi and Cory Wright Domain in Tairua. These toilets are temporarily closed while works are in progress.
To support increased visitor numbers over the long weekend, two portaloos have been placed at the Matarangi Boat Ramp for public use. In Tairua, the Pepe Reserve toilets on the main road remain open throughout the construction period.
We appreciate your patience while we complete these much-needed upgrades.
More about our toilet upgrades here
Kōpū wharf public access trial comes to a close
Take advantage of the last three days of the Kōpū Commercial Wharf public access trial this Labour Weekend. The wharf’s open from 9am until 5pm on Saturday, Sunday and Monday. Use the pedestrian access gate next to the recreational ramp parking (via King Street).
Please take extreme care and follow all signage in place. Children must be supervised by adults.
We want to hear from you about your visit.
Submit your feedback here
Refuse and Recycling Transfer Stations closures
Pāuanui Refuse and Recycling Transfer Station (RTS) will be closed on Tuesday 4 November to carry out maintenance that unfortunately can’t take place while the site is open. The nearest alternative site is Tairua RTS which will be open all day to its standard hours 8.30am – 5.30pm
The Whitianga Refuse and Recycling Transfer Station will be closed to public on Monday 3 November and again on Monday 10 November to conduct some site work. The proposed closures are weather dependent.
Our other nearby transfer stations at Tairua (Red Bridge Road) and Matarangi (Matarangi Drive) will be open and available to the public. Opening hours of those sites are 8.30am – 5.30pm.
We apologise for any temporary inconvenience these closures may cause.
Check RTS hours and locations
Stormwater improvements at Kuranui Bay Reserve
Our Council will be carrying out stormwater improvement works at Kuranui Bay Reserve this November, weather permitting. The project involves minor earthworks to reshape stormwater swales and improve drainage in the area.
While the work zone will be fenced off, the rest of the park will remain accessible to the public. The initial phase is expected to take around three weeks, depending on weather conditions. Once complete, the area will be temporarily re-grassed, with further planting planned for late autumn/winter 2026.
Key improvements include:
- Re-forming stormwater swales to improve flow
- Replacing grated manhole lids with safer scruffy dome lids
- Relocating existing OiOi plants from the base to the sides of the swale near the carpark
These upgrades will help manage stormwater more effectively during heavy rainfall, allowing water to discharge safely to the northern end of the beach and reducing upstream accumulation around road cesspits.
Thank you for your patience while we carry out these important works.
Special Licences Christmas — New Year
Are you planning an event over the Christmas — New Year period that will require a Special Licence for alcohol?
Check out our web pages for your handy guide on when you need a licence and how to go about it.
If you do need a Special Licence, there are some things you need to know:
- We must receive your application(s) by 13 November 2025.
- Special Licence applications must be received at least 20 working days (preferably more) before your event date.
- For large events it's recommended you apply well in advance of the 20 working days.
- Late applications won’t be accepted
Click here for a Special Licence application
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