Gore District Council

31/07/2026

The Gore District Council will hold a Council Meeting on Tuesday, 4 August, beginning at 10.00am.

Items on the agenda include:

• Local Government Reorganisation Processes – Feedback on Local Government Commission Options
• Local Government Reorganisation Processes – Outcomes of Community Engagement on ‘Head Start’ Proposals

📢 Please note: The start time for this meeting has changed from 12.00pm to 10.00am.

🎥 Watch the meeting online here: https://bit.ly/4ftwIH8

31/07/2026

Gore hit the catwalk last week with Hokonui Fashion Design Awards coming to town.

We were excited to support the awards through sponsorship of the Auaha Award this year. Our winner this year was Amy Macaskill of Porirua, modelled by Shann Clark Tulabling. Presented by Mayor Ben Bell.

The Auaha Award is a garment that is creatively and visually intertwined with the designer’s own culture. This year’s winner of the Auaha Award was entered in the Open Aotearoa Section.

Congratulations to Amy and all the talented designers who took part. We look forward to seeing what next year brings. ✨

30/07/2026

Want to expand your walk roation around our neighbourhood? 🚶‍♀️🚶‍♂️

Have you checked out the upgraded Culling Terrace Walkway in Mataura yet?

Take a look at the improvements in this video 👀

What do you think of the upgrade? Let us know in the comments. Tell us what you'd like to see our Parks Team improve next?

29/07/2026

A warm Southland welcome to our new citizens, sworn in by Mayor Ben Bell, Cr Torrone Smith, Cr Coats and Cr Neville Phillips.

Welcome Alex van In, Carol Booth, Simone Cairns, Rachel Hayes, Liz Volp, Katelynne du Plessis, Monika du Plessis and Vickus du Plessis. 🤝🥝

28/07/2026

🌏 Hokonui Culture Feast is calling all our community superstar vendors and performers!

Our celebration of the diverse cultures that make our community so vibrant is fast approaching.

Would you like to share your culture through delicious kai or an amazing performance?

Sign up today using the links below:

🍴 Vendors (Food & Retail):
https://online.goredc.govt.nz/do-it-online/events-bookings/hokonuiculturefeast?ed-finish-url=/do-it-online/events-bookings&ed-step=1

🎭 Performers:
https://online.goredc.govt.nz/do-it-online/events-bookings/digital-performer-hokonui?ed-finish-url=/do-it-online/events-bookings&ed-step=1

It’s on Friday 16 October from 5 – 8pm.

28/07/2026

Our options for local government changes have certainly generated a lot of interest. Thanks to everyone – all 372 of you – who took the time to let us know your thoughts and preferred option.

Feedback has now closed. All comments and feedback analysis will be presented to councillors at a meeting next Tuesday (4 August).

Local government amalgamation isn’t new – back in 1989, the proposed Gore District boundary was very different to what we have today, as you can see from this old map we found in the archives.

The Gore District would have stretched from the headwaters of the Mataura River above Waikaia to below Wyndham, taking in the Blue Mountains and up the Waimea Plans to St Patricks, just below Lumsden.

One can only imagine some of the amalgamation conversations that were had between the former Southland County Council, and Gore and Mataura borough councils 😊

24/07/2026

🔨👷‍♂️🏡 Calling all builders, architects, designers, project managers, and owner builders!

📋Are you planning on lodging a building consent with Gore District Council?

💻From today, Friday 24 July, we're using a new system for all building consents.

For more information about Objective Build, click the link below 👇

🔗 https://www.goredc.govt.nz/property-rates/building/applyforacosentobjectivebild

22/07/2026

There are a few key dates coming up for anyone wanting to have their say on local government reform in the south.

👉Next Monday (27 July) - feedback closes on whether we should get involved in the Government's Head Start process and options for what change might look like.

👉Next Tuesday (28 July) - the Local Government Commission (LGC) will be at the James Cu***ng Community Centre from 5:30pm to 7:00pm to get feedback on its two options for local government in Southland in the future.

👉Tuesday 4 August - the Council will hold a meeting to consider people's feedback and decide what happens next.

All the details and important links, as well as dates for the Commission's meetings around the province, are on our Let's Talk website - https://lets.talk.goredc.govt.nz/local-government-changing-we-want-your-views

20/07/2026

Biosecurity New Zealand is asking everyone to remain vigilant after H5 bird flu has been detected in New Zealand.

We'd like to ensure our community knows what to look out for to help keep yourself and your whānau safe.

For further information and advice, please refer to the post below.

Biosecurity New Zealand is asking everyone to be alert after H5 bird flu was detected here in a single ocean-going seabird.

The bird was found on Petone Beach in the Wellington region, and testing confirmed H5 bird flu (H5N1 avian influenza).

This is the first detection of H5 bird flu in New Zealand. It hasn't been found in any other birds and there are no detections in poultry.

New Zealand is well prepared to respond and protect poultry production, and to reduce impacts on wildlife and communities.

Be alert and use good habits to limit the impact of bird flu.
• Keep your distance: Stay away from sick or dead wildlife. Keep pets away too.
• Keep clean: Wash your hands and clean your gear after being outdoors.
• Know when to report: If you see three or more sick or dead birds, report them to the exotic pest and disease hotline on 0800 80 99 66.

We have extensive resources available, including on what to look out for and do/don’t, here: https://bit.ly/4gEC9E8

19/07/2026

🐾 Dog Registrations Are Due by 7 August 2026!

Want to be a superstar like Winnie, Rio and Fluffy? 🌟

Pay your dog registration by 7 August 2026 and you'll go in the draw to WIN a Stoney Creek prize!

One prize for Non-Working Dogs and one prize for Working Dogs

Got both a working dog and a non-working dog registered? That's double the chance to win! 🎉

Don't miss out – register and pay before 7 August to be in the draw. Follow this link to pay online https://online.goredc.govt.nz/do-it-online/animals