Board meetings, local projects and what’s on around the district
Published on 07 November 2025
Lead the way – be a responsible dog owner
Summer’s almost here, and it’s a great time to get out and about with your dog. Just remember to keep your dog under control and on lead unless signs say otherwise, pick up after them, and make sure they’re currently registered and wearing their tag.
Over the coming weeks, we’ll be sharing reminders about things like cleaning up after your pooch, where dogs can and can’t go, and how to keep them safe in the summer heat. Our goal is to make it easier for everyone - people, pets, and wildlife - to enjoy the season together.
Our Compliance Officers will also be out across the district helping to ensure a safe and welcoming environment for everyone. They’ll even have free dog leads and waste bags on hand for anyone who needs them, so don’t be shy to say hello.
Think you know the rules? Take our quick Lead the Way quiz for a chance to win a Prezzy card.
Find out more and take the quiz now
Inaugural Community Board meetings next week
Following the swearing-in of our newly elected members last Friday, the inaugural meetings of our Community Boards will take place across the district next week.
These first meetings will include the Making and Attesting of Members’ Declarations and the Election of Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson for each board.
- 10 Nov – Tairua-Pāuanui Community Board, 10am
- 11 Nov – Whangamatā Community Board, 10am
- 12 Nov – Thames Community Board, 10am
- 13 Nov – Mercury Bay Community Board, 9am
- 14 Nov – Coromandel-Colville Community Board, 9am
- 25 Nov – Council Meeting
Agendas are available on our website
Iwi-led climate change symposium looks to build community resilience
Ngāti Tamaterā, in partnership with Thames-Coromandel District Council, hosted an iwi-led Climate Change Adaptation Symposium last week aimed at bringing whānau together to kōrero, connect, and build collective understanding around climate risk and resilience.
Held with the support of our Council at the Thames War Memorial Civic Centre, the event welcomed a diverse group of attendees including the Council chief executive and other senior staff, representatives from Ngāti Tamaterā, and iwi, marae, and papakāinga leaders from across the rohe. The symposium focused on empowering Māori communities to lead climate adaptation strategies and share knowledge in culturally grounded ways.
Next steps include ongoing wānanga and discussions to further explore the challenges Māori and local communities face, and to strengthen collaborative approaches to climate resilience.
Local Treaty settlement milestones
It’s been a landmark week for two of the Pare Hauraki iwi, Ngāti Pāoa and Ngāti Rāhiri Tumutumu, who had iwi settlement Bills read in Parliament.
This is a significant milestone and a momentous event for Ngāti Pāoa as it marks the culmination of years of negotiations, to conclude the settlement of the iwi’s historical Treaty of Waitangi claims.
The Crown apologised to Ngāti Pāoa for its historical actions which led to the iwi becoming "virtually landless".
Ngāti Rāhiri Tumutumu witnessed the first reading out of three for the Ngāti Rāhiri Tumutumu Claims Settlement Bill.
This session is the result of years of dedication, negotiation, and resilience. For the iwi involved and for the Crown, it is a moment of reflection and recognition of progress. Our Council acknowledges Ngāti Pāoa and Ngāti Rāhiri Tumutumu, on this momentous occasion.
Find out more here
SH25 north of Thames reopened
The section of State Highway 25 at Boundary Creek Bridge, north of Thames, reopened at 5am on Wednesday 5 November. NZTA's team worked extended hours during the seven-day closure to install a new bridge deck, and fine weather meant they could do even more than planned.
The bridge is initially opened as a single lane with a stop/go system but from Monday 10 November, both lanes and the passing bay to the south of the bridge will be open. Some minor finishing work will continue underneath the bridge but won’t affect travellers.
Next, NZTA is starting a major rebuild of State Highway 25A to make the road safer and more resilient. Daytime closures will run from 8 am to 5 pm, Monday to Saturday, for around two weeks from 10 November.
Find more information on Coromandel highways
Final call for festive event Licences
Are you planning an event over the Christmas - New Year period that will require a Special Licence for alcohol? You haven't got long left to get your applications in to us.
If you do need a Special Licence:
- 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.
Check out our website for when you need a licence and how to go about it.
Alcohol Licences | TCDC
Kūaotunu pedestrian bridge works
Refurbishment work on the pedestrian bridge at Kūaotunu Reserve will take place from Monday 10 November to Friday 14 November.
Contractors will be replacing components that are nearing the end of their life to ensure the bridge remains safe and accessible for the community.
Please take care around the work site and be mindful of contractors operating in the area. Temporary restrictions will be in place, and pedestrian access may be limited during this time, so plan ahead if you’re heading towards the township.
Thank you for your patience while we complete these essential works.
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.
Learn to swim at Thames Centennial Pool
Moanataiari School presents: Light Up Thames
Looking for something fun to do this weekend? Head along to Rhodes Park on Saturday 8 November, 5:00pm to 9.30pm, for Light Up Thames - the town’s first-ever fireworks event.
Enjoy a community evening of fireworks, food stalls, entertainment, raffles and more under the Thames sky.
Tickets will be available at the gate.
Find out more here
Steampunk the Thames celebrates 10 years
Get ready for a weekend of whimsy, wonder, and mechanical marvels as Steampunk the Thames marks its 10th anniversary, running from 6–9 November. This four-day festival transforms Thames into a Victorian vision of the future, filled with dancing, prancing, gears and gadgetry, and a good dose of creative chaos.
From the dazzling Tinkers and Traders Market to the Steampunk Parade down Pollen Street, there’s something for everyone—costumes, competitions, and captivating performances galore. Don your goggles, polish your brass, and step into a world where steam rules supreme.
Thames Community Board is proud to have provided a grant for traffic management for the Steampunk Parade this weekend.
Find the full programme and tickets here
Career opportunities at Council
We offer a diverse range of career opportunities. Our current job vacancies are:
Thames Coromandel District Council Jobs - Join Our Team
