A strong local voice remains vital

Thank you to all those who turned up to discuss Council amalgamation options with your Mayor and local councillors at local meetings across our Ward in Matangi, Tamahere, Newstead, Tauwhare, Puketaha, Gordonton and Eureka over the past month. Rates affordability, managing debt and a strong local voice were common issues raised for focus as we engage in the biggest local government reorganisation in nearly 40 years.

As you now know Waikato District voted last week (5 August) to support a “Western Waikato Unitary Authority” model, covering five councils and centred broadly on the Waikato-Waipa catchments.  South Waikato and Waipa District Councils have also supported this proposal, but Taupo and Hamilton City decided to reject it in favour of taking “backstop” position. Nevertheless the proposal has been submitted for “Head Start” approval anyway, and we now await a Government decision in September to find out if further design work can continue. The proposal does not cover Otorohanga and Waitomo who are seeking a King Country amalgamation model. Nor does it cover Thames-Coromandel, Hauraki and Matamata-Piako District Councils who have submitted an Eastern Waikato proposal covering the Waihou-Piako and Coromandel catchments.

If accepted by the Government ‘in principle’, the Western Waikato proposal will undergo more detailed design and the community can expect to be consulted again early in the New Year before the proposal is refined for a final decision by Government in May. Head Start proposals accepted by the Government will be put in place through legislation in time for the 2028 local body elections. If the proposal is rejected, then Waikato District Council will be subject to a mandatory ‘backstop’ which means reorganisation by legislation after the 2028 elections.

Tamahere-Woodlands Ward volunteers honoured with Mayoral Awards

Congratulations to Russell Gibbs of the Tamahere Mangaone Restoration Trust, to the Predator Free Tamahere Conservation Trust, and to Richard and Sally-Ann Riddell of Gordonton, who were all local recipients of the 2026 Waikato District Mayoral Awards presented at a ceremony in the Council Chambers last month (July).

Russell Gibbs has been involved for 14 years in the Tamahere gully clearing, planting and track project that led to the establishment of the Tamahere Mangaone Restoration Trust (TMRT). Russell has been secretary-treasurer since the beginning handling funding applicatons, helping develop an MOU with the Council and a successful targeted rate application – as well as managing accounts, regular reports to Council, an annual Operations Plan and 5-year work plan – all with skill and dedication. TMRT has now cleared plant pest species across three sites, planted over 24,500 natives and helped construct about 3.8kms of track.

Predator-Free Tamahere, established in 2022, is a grassroots conservation movement transforming the ecological wellbeing of the Tamahere community. Led by a committee of six, the group has united residents, landowners, schools and local organisations in a shared mission to restore native biodiversity and protect the district’s unique gully systems. To date 13,463 pests have been removed, with 572 traps now in operation, leading to measurable gains in native bird presence and improved habitat resilience. The group demonstrates what can be achieved when local people take ownership of local challenges.

Richard and Sally-Ann Riddell have, together, contributed to the wellbeing and vitality of the Gordonton community for more than three decades. Richard is a member and former chair of the Gordonton District Committee who has also held governance roles on the Gordonton School Board and the Hukanui Golf Club. He formed the Woodlands Cricket Club in 1990 to hold flagstaff events for local business teams. Sally-Ann is a local artist and a founding member of the Gordonton Art and Design Trail. She has served as St Mary’s Church People’s Warden since 2016, as the Gordonton Hall bookings officer since 2019 and as an Orini Garden Club committee member since 2008.

Waikato District Long Term Plan work underway

A recent “high-level” Council LTP assets workshop identified more work is required to allow for an increase in stormwater OPEX to cover additional regulatory and consenting requirements, and the roading budget is so far allowing for 3% roading renewals whereas 6-8% is needed for long-term sustainable management.

New contracts for open spaces maintenance

The Council has appointed new contractors to maintain its open spaces from 1 August. Downer has been appointed to maintain Council parks, gardens and cemeteries. Aceline will be responsible for sports field maintenance and associated equipment. The new contractors take over from outgoing contractor CityCare.

North Waipā-South Hamilton Spatial Study

Future Proof – a sub-regional partnership to plan growth across Hamilton City, Waikato, Waipa and Matamata-Piako Districts – has completed an 18-month study to identify future growth needs in the North Waipā-South Hamilton area and to ensure that growth and investment can be well-coordinated. Anchored by Hamilton Airport and Mystery Creek, the area combines nationally significant transport, freight, aviation and employment assets with substantial future growth capacity. The report can be found on the Future Proof website here.

Other local news:

Roading programme 2026-27 – includes planned reseals and rehabs (reconstruction) for roads in Tamahere-Woodlands. Reseals are planned for sections of Eureka Rd, Holland Rd, Hunter Rd, Matangi Rd, Pickering Rd, Seddon Rd, Tauwhare Rd and Waverley Rd, and rehabs planned for sections of Bellevue Rd, Hiwi Rd, Peach Rd, Tamahere Dr and Tauwhare Rd.

Woodcock-Tauwhare Rd corner – redesign and construction is currently planned for 2027/28.

Reserve planning – proposed designs for Matangi sports reserve and Tamahere reserve have been produced, but are still subject to more work and a wider community consultation process.

Speed limit changes – a rollout of new signage is underway to put in place the Council’s speed limit plan (superceding the speed limit bylaw, which will be revoked.) The full plan can be found on the Council website here.

Contact your Tamahere-Woodlands Councillors:

Crystal Beavis, mob 0275 957 927, email crystal.beavis@waidc.govt.nz  

Mike Keir, mob 027 449 3012, email mike.keir@waidc.govt.nz

View post online .