2024

Media releases

Apply for Creative Communities Funding

Applications for this fund have been extended until Thursday, 29 February.

Everyday SuperHeroes acknowledged at special award evening

Those acknowledged included a teacher who created a pop-up school in their garage, and electricity workers who hiked across rivers with gear on their backs to connect the region.

Experts here for conference

Council's Dr Murry Cave was a keynote speaker at this week's Australia New Zealand Geomorphology Group’s (ANZGG) biennial conference.

Tairāwhiti receives $23.6M for Cyclone Gabrielle recovery

“The support from the government could not have come at a better time," - Mayor Rehette Stoltz

Let’s Talk Transport – consultation begins

Council is wanting feedback on what the community’s priorities are for maintaining and improving the region’s transport network.

Waingake back on full production

The Waingake Water Treatment Plant is back to full production pumping the summertime demand of city water from our dams.

Tairāwhiti ahead of NZ waste strategy

Changes to regulate recycling nationwide will have minimal impact on requirements for residential kerbside collection in Tairāwhiti.

A deep dive into Inner Harbour

Divers from Bay of Plenty Regional Council's Biosecurity Team will be conducting invasive species surveillance in the inner harbour this week.

No glitter in Gold Clam arrival

Council and Biosecurity NZ are asking residents to follow Check, Clean and Dry guidelines to stop the spread of the invasive freshwater Gold Clam.

Spartina spraying starts tomorrow

Spraying of the Spartina grass along the edges of the Taruheru River starts tomorrow.

Bridge jumping dangerous - no longer a rite of passage

Council Harbourmaster Peter Buell says jumping from the city’s bridges is not safe.

Tolaga Bay Wharf update

We’re preparing to reopen Tolaga Bay Wharf to its halfway point by the end of February.

Partnership a win for the wider region

The initiative – a first for provincial Aotearoa – was driven by TEMO group manager Ben Green.

For Tairāwhiti with Love - nominate a Superhero

Mayor Stoltz says the Superhero Awards are part of a broader campaign Council will be running next year called For Tairāwhiti with Love.

Strong and stable leadership selected for Council CE role

Mayor Rehette Stoltz says after an external recruitment programme, and rigorous interview process, the Council has resolved to appoint Nedine Thatcher Swann back in the role.

Healthy water, land, people and future are the focus of Three Year Plan

The strategic framework for the 2024 – 2027 Three Year Plan, including Council’s priorities, was adopted at yesterday’s Council meeting, alongside draft borrowing limits and rates increases.

Cut-off date for reports of severely affected land

The community has until 30 December to notify the Council of any residential land severely affected by Cyclone Gabrielle that isn’t already known to Council.

Waihau Beach Road reopens - in time for summer camping

The reopening of the road also means summer camping at Waihau Beach/Loisels Campground will open from Friday 22 December.

Massive footpath repair programme underway

Contractors have started work on the worst footpath faults in our urban area first.

Protecting vulnerable communities

Come and see what isolated communities will be delivered soon - it's on display again tomorrow from 9am to 1pm at the Rose Gardens beside Council.

Taking students outside to learn is "most important"

"Go for a walk, find stuff and use that as the beginning of all the sort of stuff you can do in schools, the whole curriculum, you name it," - nature expert Ruud Kleinpaste

Warning signs back on beaches

Harbourmaster Peter Buell asks anyone out on the water over the next few weeks to travel at a safe speed and keep a good lookout for floating logs and debris

Turning hui into do-ey

19 communities across the region are about to receive specialist emergency equipment

High chance of surface flooding this weekend

Groundwater levels across the region are very high, meaning there’s a high chance of surface flooding with the heavy rain forecast this weekend.