Thames-Coromandel District Council Mayor Peter Revell is urging residents to provide feedback on local government reform options as central government plans the largest council restructuring in nearly 40 years.
The Council has released three potential amalgamation scenarios for community consideration: a Greater Waikato option combining all councils in the Waikato Regional Council area, a North Bay of Plenty option joining Thames-Coromandel with Tauranga City Council, Western Bay of Plenty District Council, and part of Hauraki District Council, and an East Waikato option merging Thames-Coromandel with Hauraki, Matamata-Piako, and South Waikato district councils. Residents and ratepayers have until 15 July to rank these options in order of preference and provide feedback.
The Council’s Simplifying Local Government Working Group is conducting informal discussions with other councils to gather information for informed decision making. Mayor Revell emphasised that no final decisions have been made and that considerable analysis and community consultation will occur before any direction is determined. Feedback forms are available on the Thames-Coromandel District Council website and at council service centres and district libraries throughout the district.
In other council business, Thames-Coromandel District Council is preparing a submission on the Conservation Amendment Bill following strong community concerns about potential sale or exchange of Crown-owned conservation land in the district. The Bill could allow such sales, which may remove existing conservation protections including restrictions on mining activities. An amended draft submission will be considered at the Council meeting on 30 June 2026.
The Council also marked the opening of the Matarangi Water Treatment Plant this week, completing a series of major water infrastructure upgrades under the Drinking Water Standards Upgrades Project. Additionally, dog registration for the 2026/2027 year is now open with a deadline of 1 August to avoid late penalties, and a new online boat ramp launch system will go live on 1 July in partnership with Stellar.
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Source: Thames-Coromandel District Council – News. This summary was published by Input Ltd via amalgamation.nz, New Zealand’s central resource for local government amalgamation news and council merger updates.
