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 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.