Thames Coromandel District Council Region Updates

The following information is provided via Thames Coromandel District Council (TCDC) newsletter sources. Information may be subject to change, and more information about Council services can be viewed on the  TCDC website. 

The All About Whitianga community pages have details fro the Mercury Bay Council Area Office and view upcoming events for Mercury Bay Community Board meetings. 

TCDC NEWSLETTER UPDATE 25 September 2026

Whitianga Wharf reopens - new pontoon installed

Work to install a more modern and safer pontoon at Whitianga Wharf has been completed and the wharf is now open again to the public 

Council reported that it extended thanks everyone involved, including the local community, for their cooperation and patience while we worked to install the pontoon. 

During this time, the southern side of the wharf had been closed to public. Charter boat operators moved to the marina and ferry passengers used an alternative berth installed on the northern side of the wharf. All operations have now been moved back to their original location, and the temporary pontoon has been removed. 

The pontoon is wider and more stable than the former version and also offers LED lighting and handrails along the gangway to make it safer. 

Some finalisation works will be carried out over the next couple of weeks, but this is not expected to create any significant disruption. 

TCDC NEWSLETTER UPDATE 18 September 2026

Whitianga Esplanade Boat Ramp Dredging Notice

Thames-Coromandel District Council has received approval from Waikato Regional Council to undertake maintenance dredging at the Esplanade Boat Ramp, Whitianga, from 23 to 25 September 2026.

The dredging is required to remove accumulated sediment that has reduced navigable water depths and created a navigational hazard for vessels using the boat ramp. The works are supported by the recreational harbourmaster as necessary to maintain safe vessel access.

The Whitianga Esplanade Boat Ramp will be closed to public use from 23 to 25 September 2026 while dredging works are underway.

Temporary access restrictions are necessary to ensure public safety and allow the works to be completed efficiently.

Council will install onsite signage, provide updates through Council communication channels, and notify registered boat ramp permit holders and key stakeholders prior to the works commencing.

Where suitable, dredged material may be beneficially reused for beach nourishment purposes at an approved nourishment location under Council's existing beach nourishment consent. This approach was also used during previous Esplanade Boat Ramp dredging works.

While the works will create short-term disruption for boat ramp users, dredging is being undertaken to restore safe navigation and reduce the risk of vessel grounding, particularly during low tide conditions. The temporary closure is considered necessary to address the ongoing navigational safety risk and maintain safe access for recreational and commercial vessels.

Council thanks the public for their patience and cooperation while these important maintenance works are completed.

Community helps set the direction for the Coromandel Peninsula’s future

Thames-Coromandel District Council's Planning and Regulatory Committee approved the vision and outcomes that will shape how the Coromandel Peninsula grows and develops over the coming decades. 

The decision was made at the September committee meeting after more than 1000 pieces of feedback received from communities across the Peninsula during the first phase of engagement on the district-wide spatial plan were analysed and considered. 

The Council stated that the vision describes a future where our natural taonga are valued, towns and rural areas thrive, people of all ages can live, work and enjoy life, and strong, reliable infrastructure keeps communities connected and resilient to change. 

Mayor Peter Revell said it was a direct reflection of the feedback received from community groups, organisations and the wider community. 

“We’re grateful to everyone who took the time to share their thoughts, hopes and concerns for the future of the Coromandel Peninsula.  

“Spatial planning is about being ambitious and aspirational, and the vision and outcomes approved yesterday are exactly that. They set the direction for what we want the future to look like and for the development of the spatial plan.” 

Building on previous thinking
Between 24 June and 12 August, the Council heard from hundreds of locals through online and hard-copy surveys, workshops and face-to-face conversations at events across the Peninsula. 

"Importantly, we've been able to revisit and build on the work and thinking that's been done in the past on the Coromandel Peninsula Blueprint, so that we're not reinventing the wheel," Mayor Revell said.  

In addition to reviewing the draft vision and outcomes, first developed through the 2009/2010 Blueprint, people shared what they believe is working well today, what needs to change, and the biggest challenges and opportunities ahead. 

Mayor Revell said several clear themes had emerged. 

“People told us that protecting and restoring the natural environment, building resilient infrastructure, improving connectivity, and improving housing, healthcare and quality of life were among the most important considerations for the spatial plan.” 

This feedback will guide the next stage of the project, during which several options showing how the Peninsula could grow and change in the future will be developed. These options will be workshopped in the coming months with government agencies, organisations and community groups to help shape a ‘preferred future’ option. 

“We will also share the options online so the wider community can have another say. A survey will ask what people think and what they want to see included in the ‘preferred future’ option,” Mayor Revell said.  

The committee also noted three options describing different possible futures for the Peninsula, that will be the focus of engagement with the community in October and November, and endorsed continuing the work to complete the district-wide spatial plan by mid-2027. 

Pauanui Skate Bowl Closed For Refurbishment

The Pāuanui Skate Bowl has been a valued community recreation facility for more than 25 years. Over time, regular use, weather exposure, and ageing infrastructure have resulted in cracking concrete, worn surfaces, and drainage issues that affect the condition and usability of the facility.

This council project will refurbish the existing skate bowl and surrounding area to improve safety, usability, and accessibility for all users.

The Pāuanui skate park will close for approximately eight weeks from Monday 7 September 2026 while improvements are completed in two stages.

Stage One - Skate bowl refurbishment
Repairs to the existing skate bowl will address cracks, worn concrete and other areas of deterioration, creating a safer, smoother surface and extending the life of the bowl.

Stage Two - Site upgrades
Scheduled to begin in November 2026, works will include a new community area with tables, seating and shade, along with pathwayand planting upgrades.

We appreciate the community's patience while this work is carried out. During the closure, skaters are encouraged to use the nearby Tairua Skate Park.

We look forward to reopening the facility and welcoming the community back to an upgraded Pāuanui Skate Park.

What’s getting an upgrade?

Repairs to the skate bowl surface, including cracked and worn concrete
Upgrades to surrounding infrastructure such as pathways, fencing, signage, and run-out areas
Minor stormwater and drainage improvements where practicable, which may provide some localised improvements in surface drainage during wet weather
Renewal of key elements to improve safety and overall functionality of the space

Council stated that aim of the refurbishment is to provide a safer and more enjoyable environment for users of the facility and also extend the life of the skate bowl by approximately 10-15 years. 

Royal Billy Point Pontoon Update

Council advise that the replacement pontoon for the Royal Billy Point Boat Ramp has officially been ordered, and the manufacturing process is underway. 

TCDC NEWSLETTER DISTRICT LIBRARIES UPDATE 14 September 2026

Poll for Wharekaho and Hāhei communities

A poll of Wharekaho and Hāhei property owners is underway to establish how these communities want to receive and pay for future water services.

The poll follows a series of community meetings about plans to establish and connect local property owners to a Thames-Coromandel District Council network.

The Wharekaho and Hāhei water and wastewater extension projects came about at the request of the local residents and costed and included in the 2024/25 Long Term Plan.

Under Council’s existing policies, if the projects proceed, they will need to be fully funded by the beneficiaries of the works.

In July, a range of payment options was provided and in August a series of community meetings were held. Payment options range from paying all costs up front to a plan allowing for costs to be spread over 50 years.

The inclusion of the projects in the Long Term Plan was done so on the basis the community will be polled for their views on the costs, before any final decision to proceed.

Results of the poll will help guide elected members before a final decision is made.

The online poll is being run by an independent company and closes 25 September.

Each property qualifies for one vote per project, and Council have stated that every effort has been made to identify property owners through email or mailing addresses. Council advise that If you have opted to receive Council correspondence via email (instead of post) don’t forget to check your ‘junk’ folder.

And, any property owner who has not received a copy of the poll via email or post by now is asked to contact Council directly via TCDC.WaterServices@tcdc.govt.nz

TCDC NEWSLETTER UPDATE 11 September 2026

Whitianga Wharf Pontoon

Work on replacing the Whitianga Wharf pontoon is getting significantly closer to completion with the arrival of the replacement pontoon this week. 

The pontoon’s sections were built off-site in Whangarei and were towed, via sea, to Whitianga on Tuesday. 

Last week, the old pontoon and its piles were removed to make way for its replacement and work to install this has begun.  

The southern side of the wharf will likely remain closed for several more days until installation is completed. During this time ferry users can still use the wharf as an alternative berth has been set up at the northern end.  

A big thank you to the wharf and ferry users for your patience.

New Whitianga RTS progressing well:

Construction of the new Whitianga Recycling and Refuse Transfer Station is progressing well with an official opening event planned for next month.The facility is expected to open to the public in November 2026, with the exact date to be confirmed closer to the time. There will also be a one-day closure of the existing site immediately before the new facility opens. This will allow for the transfer of machinery and equipment.

TCDC NEWSLETTER UPDATE 4 September 2026

Work continues to replace Whitianga Wharf Pontoon

Teams have been busy working to replace the pontoon at Whitianga Wharf. Demolition of the old pontoon is well underway, and installation is expected to take around two weeks, depending on weather and sea conditions. The existing pontoon area is temporarily closed to allow the work to be completed safely. An alternative berth has been installed for ferry users at the north end of the wharf, with signage in place to help passengers find their way.

TCDC NEWSLETTER DISTRICT LIBRARIES UPDATE 1 September 2026

Te Wiki o te Reo Māori 2026 - Te Reo Towns

Under the theme Ake, Ake, Ake – A Forever Language, the 2026 focus is Te Reo Towns - a celebration of the communities who have kept te reo Māori alive, and an invitation for all of Aotearoa to help it flourish into the future. Te Wiki starts on Monday 14th September.

District Libraries will have games, scavenger hunts, colouring in and more during Te Wiki o te Reo Māori. Drop in to the library to learn some new kupu (words) or pick up a pukapuka (book) from our Māori Language Week displays.

Book Launch - Whitianga's Mural, by Coralie Daniels

The public are invited to attend the launch of Whitianga’s Mural, a new book by Coralie Daniels.

Carol Bryson Taylor, a local artist, painted a large and eye-catching mural in Coghill Street which remained there for many years. It depicted our timber industry and aspects of shipping, milling and the tenacious folk who founded our town.

Carol’s daughter, author Coralie Daniels, will tell us about her publishing journey and her research. Books will also be on sale at a special price.

The book launch will be at Mercury Bay Library on Friday 11 September, at 11am.

Read, Stamp, Reward - running from 15-12 September

It's Week 3 of the Read Stamp Reward reading challenge at Mercury Bay Library, and this week we're reading books in special formats! Find out more about the VOX Books (books that talk!), eBooks, and eAudiobooks in our collection.

Pop in and try a new book in one of these special formats - you'll earn one more stamp for your stamp card. It's not too late to get started - pick up a stamp card from Mercury Bay Library.

TCDC NEWSLETTER UPDATE 13 August 2026

Construction of the new Whitianga Wharf pontoon is progressing well 

Good progress is being made on the concrete floating pontoon for Whitianga Wharf, which is being replaced due to its deteriorated condition. The replacement pontoon is being built by Heron Construction at its Whangārei yard. The project has reached an important milestone, with engineering inspections completed and the two pontoon sections now successfully poured. 

From the first week of September, access to the pontoon will be closed to allow the safe replacement of pontoon and piles. Work in the harbour is expected to take around two weeks. 

During construction, a temporary berth will be provided for the ferry. Access to the temporary ferry location will be clearly marked and signs will be on both the Whitianga and Ferry Landing side to inform passengers. Charter boats may use the public boat ramp during this time. 

We know the wharf is an important community asset, and our teams are continuing to work closely with wharf and pontoon users to minimise disruption during installation. We will keep the community informed and provide updates ahead of the construction works. 

TCDC NEWSLETTER UPDATE 13 August 2026

Solar Power Strengthens Thames-Coromandel Emergency Hubs 

Key buildings throughout the Coromandel Peninsula are being fitted with solar panels and battery storage as part of an initiative to strengthen community resilience during emergencies.  

Thames-Coromandel District Council received $567,820 through the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority’s (EECA) Community Resilience Programme to co-fund solar and battery installations at nine community sites. 

The upgrades will help ensure essential buildings can continue operating during extended power outages caused by severe weather events and other emergencies. 

Installations have already been completed at Harataunga Marae in Kennedy Bay, Whitianga Community Services Trust, Tairua Hall and the Jack McLean Community Recreation Centre in Thames. 

Work is now underway at Coromandel Area School, and Whangamatā Hall. Installation will also be carried out at Te Paea Marae near Kennedy Bay, Te Wharekura o Manaia, and Matai Whetu Marae at Kōpū. 

Council Community Partnerships Coordinator Helen Flynn says the nine buildings were selected to ensure a spread of resilient facilities across the district, supporting both main population centres and communities that can become easily isolated during an emergency. 

"These facilities play a vital role in supporting communities during emergency events. Already this year, we have experienced two severe weather events where some of these buildings were utilised. It is very rewarding for Council to be involved in a project that will strengthen community resilience and provide lasting benefits for those who use these buildings," says Helen. 

Harataunga Marae also received a $30,000 contribution from Powerco towards the project. 

Harataunga Marae Trust Chairman Hamuera Maika says the solar panels help provide their hapu with resilience and autonomy to care for their community. 

“Particularly in emergency situations whilst aligning with our tikanga and our world view of our internal connection to the environment.” 

Council and marae sites were prioritised for nomination before being reviewed by a selection panel for suitability. Assessment criteria included the site's ability to function as a community-led resilience hub, its level of isolation risk, the population served, and its importance to the local community. 

The selection panel included representatives from the Waikato Civil Defence Emergency Management Group, Te Puni Kōkiri, and Kānoa - Regional Economic Development and Investment Unit. 

TCDC NEWSLETTER UPDATE 12 JUNE 2026

New online boat ramp system from July

Council is introducing a new online boat ramp launch system, delivered in partnership with Stellar - a trusted provider of parking and boat ramp solutions across New Zealand. This will start with the introduction of vPermit from 1 July 2026, a user-friendly self-service platform.

Users will need to scan the QR code on the sign at the boat ramp to get started. Permits will be linked to your launching vehicle licence plate. Existing annual permits will remain valid until expiry.

TCDC Working Group weightings for local government reform assessment

The Thames-Coromandel Simplifying Local Government Working Group has released the weightings that will be used to assess and shortlist options for local government reform, marking a significant milestone in the process.

The weightings reflect the Working Group's view of what matters most when considering future governance arrangements for the district and will guide the evaluation of potential options before recommendations are presented to Council.

The agreed weightings are:

Keeping local voices strong – 30%
Better value for ratepayers – 25%
Less bureaucracy and clearer decisions – 25%
Better planning for the future – 10%
Making change practical and achievable – 10%

Mayor Peter Revell said the weightings strike a balance between ensuring local communities continue to have a strong voice while also recognising the need for efficient, effective and affordable local government.

"The Government has provided five criteria against which reform options must be assessed. The Working Group has spent considerable time discussing the relative importance of each and has now agreed a framework that will help guide its decision-making," Mayor Revell said.

“The decision-making behind this has also considered early responses to the survey currently open to members of our community,” said the Mayor. “Once the final survey results are collated on Monday we will double check that the weightings we are using align with those provided by the respondents.”

The initial community survey on the local government reforms is open until Monday 15 June. The results will help the Working Group assess a shortlist of options to take for another round of community feedback before responding to the Government's reform proposals by the 9 August deadline.

Water metering project

An Expressions of Interest process has been released on the Government’s electronic tender service platform to test the market for suppliers able to deliver a district-wide smart water metering solution. A key focus of this work is the installation of meters for the approximately 8,000 connections across the district that are not yet metered. Interested parties have four weeks (until 8 July) to submit their Expressions of Interest. The next stage is likely to involve shortlisting suppliers and inviting them to submit full proposals.

TCDC NEWSLETTER UPDATE 13 MARCH 2026

Commercial Operator Licences 

The TCDC have announced that the Commercial Operator Licence tender process will open on the 16 March for businesses wishing to operate on Council-owned reserves across the district. 

Licences are available for food vendors and activity operators, with options for single sites, multiple sites and start-up operators.

Application process and how to apply:

Applications open Monday 16 March and close Thursday 30 April. These will be reviewed in May, vendors will be notified in June, and licences will be issued in July. For more information, view current list of operators and to download an application form on the TCDC website. 

Government Rural Resilience Workshop

Thames-Coromandel farmers are invited to attend a series of rural resilience workshops hosted by Agriculture and Forestry Minister Todd McClay.

The local Catchment Emergency Preparedness Workshop will be held on 4 May at Mangatangi Hall, Mangatangi from 10am - 4pm. The workshop is aimed at helping farmers and growers be better prepared for adverse events.