Join the new Community Voice Panel... Waikato District Council has established a Community Voice Panel and invites you to join it to help guide Council decisions. Panel members will receive short online surveys throughout the year on topics that matter to them such as parks, roading, new facilities, environmental initiatives, and future planning, with some opportunities to take part in-person. Panel feedback will help guide Council decisions and ensure communities have a dire

The imminent establishment of jointly owned council-controlled waters organisations (CCOs) marks the culmination of 10 years of Government-led investigations, changes to regulatory water quality standards, and water services structural reform since the 2016 Havelock North water crisis.   Contamination of the Havelock North water supply led to 5,500 people falling ill, with 45 hospitalised, and suspicion that the contamination contributed to three deaths.   Reports commissione

Red bands - even the sheep like them! (Photo credit - Skellerup Red Band FB page - thanks!) I saw the “Not Only Fred Dagg” documentary just before New Year. It reminded me how much we need to be able to laugh at ourselves and how much we appreciate someone who can help us do that.   “We don’t know how lucky we are, mate, we don’t know how lucky we are”.   Fred Dagg’s unofficial national anthem celebrates life in New Zealand while simultaneously reminding us it’s not always fi

An early focus in Waikato District Council's work programme this year is on establishing the Waikato District and Hamilton City council-controlled operation (CCO), IAWAI – Flowing Waters, by 1 July. Our first meeting of the year was a joint workshop with Hamilton City Council to begin considering the agreement under which waters assets and resources will be legally transferred to the new entity. Early preparation for the Council’s next Long Term Plan 2027-37 and renewed top-

Warm wishes for Christmas and the summer holiday season. The sunny weather is here and that means the road construction season has started. Road works can be frustrating, but fixing our roads is vital for keeping our communities connected and supporting our economy. So please be patient, knowing that our staff and contractors are working in the heat of summer to keep our roads safe for us. For details of major roadworks in Waikato district see the ‘Current and upcoming roadwo

The 2025 election results saw your two Tamahere-Woodland Ward Councillors, Crystal Beavis (2nd left front row) and Mike Keir (3rd right back row), returned for second terms to the Waikato District Council. Thank you for your vote and for the confidence you have once again placed in us to represent you on the Council. We will continue to attend local Ward Community Committee meetings regularly to hear what our different communities are saying, and to keep you updated on Counci

I'm standing for re-election as your Tamahere-Woodlands councillor to continue to serve your interests on the Waikato District Council. I...

What you need to know about Local Government elections 2025:  Voting papers will be posted from 9-22 September to everyone who was...

Let’s talk about dogs! A friendly reminder that annual dog registrations are due and are discounted if paid by 31 July. The Council...

If there’s a local park you like to use with your family, to play sports, or walk the dog, Waikato District Council wants your thoughts...

Consultation is open until 11 May  on Waikato District Council’s Long Term Plan and proposal for a Waters Council-Controlled Organisation...

Consultation opens Friday 11 April on Waikato District Council’s Long Term Plan and proposal for a Waters CCO with Hamilton City. The...

New Zealand is small enough to give each of us almost unmatched access to decision-makers at national and local level compared with most...

Waikato District Council welcomed our new CEO Craig Hobbs with a powhiri early this month. Craig’s past experience includes roles as CE...

Change is in the air for 2025 at Waikato District Council as we welcomed our new chief executive this week.   Craig Hobbs brings with him...

Warm wishes for the Christmas holiday season SH1B Telephone Rd re-opening mid-2025 After more than two years of lobbying and...

New Zealand’s economic outlook is still patchy despite some greener shoots showing for 2025.   So says Infometrics chief executive and...

Record community feedback on Council survey More than 800 people provided nearly 2,000 responses to the Council’s survey on its Long Term...

Road budgets cut - Waters CCO explored. Council seeks community help to set Long Term Plan priorities. Read on: Road subsidies slashed...

Business confidence has surged to the highest it has been in 10 years according to the latest ANZ business outlook survey.   We’re still...