Waikato Regional Council

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Waikato Regional Council Making your Waikato even better, together. www.waikatoregion.govt.nz
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Waikato Regional Council helps communities, industry and other groups in New Zealand's Waikato region to live and work with natural resources. Our activities help look after our region's water, soil, air, geothermal areas and coasts - so we can all enjoy these precious resources for generations to come.

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The long weekend is nearly here! ⛵☀️With Labour Weekend marking the start of the boating season for many people, Waikato...
22/10/2026

The long weekend is nearly here! ⛵☀️

With Labour Weekend marking the start of the boating season for many people, Waikato Regional Council is reminding everyone heading out on the water to make safety their top priority.

National lifejacket rules have changed so people on vessels six metres and under must wear a properly fitted lifejacket or personal flotation device (PFD) while underway.

The requirement also applies to jet skis and paddle craft, including kayaks and stand-up paddleboards. The national change brings the rest of the country into line with the rule already in place in the Waikato region since 2013.

Regional Harbourmaster Chris Bredenbeck said Labour Weekend is a good time for boaties to check their safety gear before getting back on the water.

"Lifejackets save lives, but they need to be the right size, fit properly and be in good condition to meet the requirements. If your lifejacket doesn’t fit, it might as well be painted on.

"Don't leave your lifejacket sitting in the boat. Put it on before you head out and make sure everyone else on board does the same," Chris said.

Refresh your knowledge of the rules here ➡️ https://www.waikatoregion.govt.nz/services/maritime-services/rules-and-safety/

STOP ✋It's quiz time! ⏰How deep has exotic caulerpa been found growing in New Zealand waters? 🌊🌿A. 6m B. 16m C. 26m D. ...
22/10/2026

STOP ✋

It's quiz time! ⏰

How deep has exotic caulerpa been found growing in New Zealand waters? 🌊🌿

A. 6m
B. 16m
C. 26m
D. 46m

Drop your answer in the comments, and we'll reveal the correct one tomorrow.

Fancy yourself a marine biosecurity buff?

Give the full quiz from Ministry for Primary Industries a go here: https://bit.ly/4i6Rcpa

We’re asking people in the Coromandel to keep a lookout for two nasty pest plants. If you see any Nassella tussock or Me...
18/10/2026

We’re asking people in the Coromandel to keep a lookout for two nasty pest plants.

If you see any Nassella tussock or Mexican feathergrass please let us know.

Although they are not well established on the Coromandel Peninsula, there are significant patches between Thames to just north of Colville, including around Coromandel Harbour. They have also been found around Whitianga and Whangamatā.

We’re aiming to eradicate these pest species from the Waikato region, but to do that we need to know where they’re hiding.

If you see these plants on your own property or in the general area please contact us either by calling 0800 800 401 or complete the reporting form on our website: https://bps.waikatoregion.govt.nz/online-services/new/incident/step/1?Subject=incident

It would be very helpful if you could take a photo and include this along with the precise location when you complete the form.

Do not attempt to control these pest plants yourself.

Nassella tussock and Mexican feathergrass both represent a considerable threat to the region’s agriculture as well as the natural environment.

They are extremely successful invaders and can dominate pasture or sparse coastal faces by outcompeting other species,” says Darion.

They are indigestible for livestock and form balls in their stomachs, contributing to ill-shrift. In addition, their seeds contaminate wool and can even cause blindness in lambs.”

Both Nassella tussock and Mexican feathergrass spread easily. Nassella tussock, for example, can produce up to 100,000 seeds per year. The seeds can be blown long distances in strong winds, over eight kilometres in some cases and Nassella seeds can last 30 years in the soil.

The two grass-like plants look similar and tend to be densely clumped. They have narrow, circular, light green or yellow leaves (rather than the typical flat blade of most grasses) which are slightly serrated and rough to the touch, and they are starting to put up purple seeds.

Waikato Regional Council’s Ngā Rerenga ki te Moana | Pathways to the Sea has won a second national prize, last night tak...
15/10/2026

Waikato Regional Council’s Ngā Rerenga ki te Moana | Pathways to the Sea has won a second national prize, last night taking home Local Government New Zealand’s SuperLocal Award for its environmental stewardship. 🐟✨

The strategy – developed to provide safe downstream passage for tuna (eels) and other native fish through flood protection infrastructure – was a finalist in the SuperSteward Award - Tū Tiaki category.

The SuperSteward Award recognises councils that take responsibility for protecting the environment and managing resources for future generations.

Read more ➡️ https://bit.ly/47Y8u30

When a 150-year-old remnant kahikatea forest is protected and restored, you're safeguarding something that cannot be qui...
14/10/2026

When a 150-year-old remnant kahikatea forest is protected and restored, you're safeguarding something that cannot be quickly recreated. 🌳🌿

That’s an insight Jude Tisdall once took from a workshop led by a New Zealand ecologist, who posed a simple question: if you had only a small amount of money to spend on restoration, where would it have the greatest impact?

A retired veterinarian, Jude became involved in restoring kahikatea remnants after becoming frustrated with privet spreading on her lifestyle property in Kiwitahi, about 15 years ago.

Today, much of her work is undertaken through the Piako Waihou Catchment Trust’s Connecting the Waitoa project, which protects and restores remnant kahikatea forest fragments on private land along the Waitoa River.

Connecting the Waitoa has recently received support from Waikato Regional Council’s Priority Biodiversity Sites programme to strengthen pest animal control across six remnants.

Learn how this support is helping restoration efforts ➡️ https://bit.ly/4jgTZhP

Looking to get some salt air this weekend? 🌊✨The Coastcare - Waikato team has you covered, with community planting event...
09/10/2026

Looking to get some salt air this weekend? 🌊✨

The Coastcare - Waikato team has you covered, with community planting events in Whiritoa on Saturday and Marokopa on Sunday.

Check out the event pages for details 👇

📍 Whiritoa ➡️ https://bit.ly/4dxyZ2G

📍 Marokopa ➡️ https://bit.ly/3TsvljR

We're giving the region’s flood monitoring network a major resilience boost, helping communities get reliable, real-time...
04/10/2026

We're giving the region’s flood monitoring network a major resilience boost, helping communities get reliable, real-time information when severe weather hits. 🌧️📡⚠️

A $1.65 million upgrade programme is underway that will repair, strengthen or install equipment at around 40 telemetry sites across the region by July 2028.

The project is being delivered in partnership with the Government, which is contributing up to $990,000 (60 per cent of project costs) through the Regional Infrastructure Fund. Waikato Regional Council is contributing $660,000.

It is part of a national push to strengthen early flood warning systems, totalling $9.38 million for telemetry-related projects across 10 councils. The project is being coordinated by Environment Canterbury on behalf of the participating councils.

Across the Waikato region, hydrology staff have been identifying the monitoring sites most at risk during floods and the practical changes needed to keep data flowing when the pressure comes on.

That means adding extra gauges, batteries, improved radio links, backup sensors, loggers, and alternative communications where they will make the biggest difference.

Read the full story here➡️ https://bit.ly/4zzQCaL

29/09/2026

We’re here in Kāwhia for one of our biannual marine oil spill response exercises.

Waikato Regional Council staff will be deploying a range of equipment to a theoretical oil spill scenario, including containment booms, oil skimmers and holding tanks.

Partners from local marae, emergency services, Civil Defence, and Ōtorohanga District Council are also present.

The public will still be able to access the boat ramp and wharf during this time. You’re welcome to watch from a safe distance, but please respect any access restrictions around response equipment, activities, and follow any directions provided by responders.

Special thanks to Kawhia Boating & Angling Club for enabling the use of their facilities during this exercise and to local hapū for assisting with local knowledge.

Training exercises—like this one—are held twice a year by Waikato Regional Council in different locations around the Waikato rohe (region), as part of our Maritime Transport Act obligations to manage Tier 2 (regional) spill responses.

They enable our staff to practice the deployment of marine oil spill equipment that can help minimise environmental harm, and work in an Incident Management Team to effectively coordinate actions with other agencies and partners. Maritime New Zealand staff attend and assess each exercise.

If you have or see an oil spill that’s in or likely to enter the marine environment, make sure you report it as soon as possible. Call Waikato Regional Council's freephone 0800 800 401.

🦺 Marine Oil Spill Response Exercise 🦺If you’re in Kāwhia tomorrow (Tuesday, 29 September) and see a lot of hi-vis and a...
28/09/2026

🦺 Marine Oil Spill Response Exercise 🦺

If you’re in Kāwhia tomorrow (Tuesday, 29 September) and see a lot of hi-vis and action along Kārewa Beach, don’t fret.

Waikato Regional Council staff will be taking part in a marine oil spill response exercise on the waterfront, training with and deploying equipment to a theoretical oil spill scenario.

Partners from local marae, emergency services, Civil Defence, and Ōtorohanga District Council will also be present.

The public will still be able to access the boat ramp and wharf during this time.

Address

160 Ward Street
Hamilton
3204

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm

Telephone

+64800800401

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