Te Kaunihera ā rohe o Kawerau - Kawerau District Council

Te Kaunihera ā rohe o Kawerau - Kawerau District Council Council Vision - to create a resilient and sustainable district that meets the needs of the future. You can also use Facebook inbox.

Kawerau District Council offers a request for service process - where residents can report issues that need fixing or attention in the community via phone 07 306 9009, email [email protected] or via the website. For urgent assistance with water, waste or dangerous trees, dog attacks or rushes, or noise control, please phone 07 306 9009 24/7 and our Duty Supervisor

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Kawerau District Council Social Media Community Guidelines

Updated April 2025

Kawerau District Council's social media pages are a safe space for conversation with our community. Any comments or questions that aren’t related to the original post may be removed, if these are attempts to derail the conversation. Some topics might be controversial or cause strong opinions, but we kindly request that everyone interacts respectfully with each other and with council’s social media team (we have feelings too!). The following conduct and behaviours will not be tolerated:

Kawerau District Council's social media pages must not be used for electioneering purposes. Any post - positive or negative - made by any individual specifically relating to their own - or someone else's - nomination, intention to run for Council or election campaign, will be removed immediately. Kawerau District Council reserves the right to remove contributions and followers on its social media pages that break the rules or guidelines of the relevant communities e.g. Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn and our rules stated below. Private messages, public comments and images on the Council's social media pages must always be polite, respectful, appropriate and relevant. Repeated and/or particularly extreme offences will result in a ban from our pages. Please note, Kawerau District Council does not monitor and respond to comments and tags on external groups and pages. If you have a problem to report the correct way to do this is via our customer service team – you can report online, via email, in person or by phone and it will be logged as a request for service. Contact our customer centre via phone: 07 306 9009, email: [email protected] or through the form on our website: https://my.kaweraudc.govt.nz/do-it-online

Users of Kawerau District Council social media pages must agree not to:

swear or use offensive language

post messages or images that are unlawful, libellous, harassing, defamatory, abusive, threatening, harmful, obscene, profane, sexually oriented or racially offensive

post photos or videos of people without their prior consent

post protected content copied from elsewhere e.g. infringe on copyrights or trademarks

post the same message, or very similar messages, more than once (spamming)

publicise personal information or contact details

use Kawerau District Council's Social Media pages for electioneering purposes

advertise products or services or provide endorsements

impersonate someone else

purposefully attempt to aggravate, blame or direct abuse to inflame a situation further (trolling)

post repeated comments that are irrelevant and distract from discussions related to the content posted

use KDC’s FB / Insta pages to spread disinformation that may mislead the public

Users who breach the community guidelines may have their comments hidden, deleted and in the case of repeat or serious offences, a ban may be applied. Banned users may request the ban is lifted after six months by contacting the customer centre via email. If the ban is lifted and the user continues to breach our guidelines, then a ban will be applied indefinitely.

The First Past the Post (FPP) voting system has been retained for the 2028 local elections. On 26 August, Council made t...
08/09/2026

The First Past the Post (FPP) voting system has been retained for the 2028 local elections.

On 26 August, Council made the decision at an Ordinary Council Meeting, to keep the current electoral system, due to it being simpler, and with the Simplifying Local Government reform causing other electoral decisions to still be made.

The alternative system was the Single Transferrable Voting (STV) which is the system currently used in Australia, United States, Ireland and Malta. It was also used by 16 New Zealand Councils in 2025. STV has also been used by companies like Fonterra, to select board members.

Notice of Electoral System and Right to Demand a Poll is available on our website:
https://www.kaweraudc.govt.nz/

Overall community satisfaction with Kawerau District Council services, facilities, governance and staff remains positive...
08/09/2026

Overall community satisfaction with Kawerau District Council services, facilities, governance and staff remains positive and has strengthened to 82% rating in the 2026 Triennial Residents’ Survey results.

The Triennial Residents Survey, conducted independently by SIL Research Limited from 30 April to 9 June 2026, enable residents to rate Council services and facilities from kerbside recycling and greenwaste collection to rates, facilities, community safety, and more.

A total of 404 residents and ratepayers completed the survey, an increase of 100 respondents from the survey undertaken in 2023.

The results of the Triennial Residents’ Survey enable Council to measure its performance against targets set in the Long Term Plan and help inform decision-making and future planning to deliver services to the community.

In 2026, 82% of residents surveyed were satisfied with Kawerau District Council services overall, up significantly from 70% in 2023, and well above the national benchmarking average of 48%.

Chief Executive Morgan Godfery said, “The increases likely reflect Council’s targeted investments in core infrastructure such as the drinking water pipe renewal project, upgrades to key facilities such as the Kawerau Transfer Station and the Rangi Delamere Centre and a concerted ongoing effort for increased transparency and community engagement.”

Wider community sentiment shows Kawerau’s liveability measures have generally improved, reflected by results in community safety 90% (up from 84% in 2023), quality of life 85% (up from 72%), community spirit 85% (up from 75%) and community attractiveness remaining at 84%.

Also, Council’s reputation, leadership, decision-making, and rates value measures have all improved.

Several high-use services continue to perform well, and core infrastructure results have generally improved, particularly water-related services, and although roads and footpaths increased to 75% and 67% respectively, they remain important areas of focus for residents.

Dog control continues to be an area where residents want to see improvement and at 30% it was the lowest rated service of Council. The museum (57%), isite (78%) and public halls (68%) also recorded lower satisfaction than in 2023.

Full results and Media Release are published on Council’s website
🔗https://www.kaweraudc.govt.nz/news/satisfaction-kawerau-district-council-rises-82-latest-triennial-residents-survey

🎄Pending funding, Kawerau Christmas in the Park is back on Saturday 12 December! The Afternoon Show will run from 12 no...
07/09/2026

🎄Pending funding, Kawerau Christmas in the Park is back on Saturday 12 December!

The Afternoon Show will run from 12 noon to 5pm and focuses on promoting and providing a platform for up-and-coming local musicians, dancers and singers.

🎶Our aim is to provide a variety of performances from solos, duets, trios, acoustic, backing tracks, full band, dance etc. for our community to enjoy in the lead up to our Evening Show.

⏰If this sounds like you, fill out a Registration of Interest form and return it to the Council Offices, District Library or isite by Friday, 9 October 2026.

📝Register now:
🔗https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/CIRP2026

☎Any questions, please phone Council on 07 306 9009.

On Friday 11 and Friday 18 September, the Kawerau Transfer Station will open later than usual, operating from 1:00pm to ...
06/09/2026

On Friday 11 and Friday 18 September, the Kawerau Transfer Station will open later than usual, operating from 1:00pm to 4:00pm instead of the regular 12 noon opening time.

This change is due to routine maintenance being undertaken from Horizon Energy from 9am to 1pm on those days, which will result in a temporary power outage at the facility.

We appreciate your understanding and apologise for any inconvenience caused

Investigations into a potential joint organisation to deliver water services across the Rotorua, Whakatāne, Kawerau and ...
03/09/2026

Investigations into a potential joint organisation to deliver water services across the Rotorua, Whakatāne, Kawerau and Ōpōtiki districts have now been completed as part of the Government's Local Water Done Well reforms.

A Water Working Group comprising mayors and elected members from the four councils received the final technical report on 17 August outlining the assessments and analysis undertaken over the past eight months for a joint Water Services Council Controlled Organisation (WSCCO).

Following community consultation in 2025, the four councils committed to investigating the merits of a potential shared approach to delivering water services.

Prepared by consultants Martin Jenkins, the report tested whether a joint arrangement could deliver modest outcomes for communities over a 30-year period than continuing with the current in-house delivery of drinking water, wastewater and stormwater services, by the four councils.

Investigations found that an asset-owning WSCCO offered the stronger potential to deliver against agreed objectives, with in-house delivery meeting current requirements but coming under growing pressure over time from borrowing headroom, organisational resilience, specialist capability, and industrial revenue exposure.

The report also provides an overview of current service delivery across the four districts, including water assets and infrastructure, Treaty settlement obligations, iwi and hapū engagement, asset condition and renewals, planned investment, compliance requirements, financial positions, and key risks and challenges.

Councils will now consider what approach would best serve their communities. Each council will determine its preferred option and, where required, undertake consultation before making a final decision.

📣The Kawerau Young Achievers Awards are set to take place at the Kawerau Town Hall on Friday 23rd October 2026 at 4.30pm...
03/09/2026

📣The Kawerau Young Achievers Awards are set to take place at the Kawerau Town Hall on Friday 23rd October 2026 at 4.30pm.

An opportunity for our Kawerau kids to be recognised and celebrated for their achievements in sports, academic and cultural endeavours within the district, region and nation wide.

Kawerau is a small district so it is a big deal when we witness Kawerau individuals and teams doing well on the national and international stage. We invite parents, coaches, aunties and uncles to nominate who they think deserve to be celebrated and recognised as a Kawerau Young Achiever 2026.

📝Applications are currently open and close on 30th September 2026. Here is the link to check out the nomination criteria and to make a nomination 👇🏿https://form.jotform.com/262428342076861

🏊🏿‍♀️Update - Maurie Kjar Aquatic Centre heating issuesCouncil will be temporarily shortening the opening hours of the M...
02/09/2026

🏊🏿‍♀️Update - Maurie Kjar Aquatic Centre heating issues

Council will be temporarily shortening the opening hours of the Maurie Kjar Aquatic Centre from 9am - 4:30pm (please exit the pools by 4pm), from Monday 7 September, until further notice.

There have been ongoing issues with the steam bore that provides hot water to heat the Maurie Kjar Aquatic Centre. Council has sought expert advice, from highly experienced geothermal contractors and expert operations staff in the field to find the most appropriate and cost-effective solution.

The Maurie Kjar Aquatic Centre relies on geothermal fluid to heat the centre, but BOPRC reports indicate a significant and ongoing decline in thermal activity in the field that supplies the pools. BOPRC’s 2023 and 2024 Annual Reports on the Kawerau Geothermal System, showed 12 of the 13 monitored thermal features in the Parimahana and township area have cooled from near-boiling to ambient temperatures since 2016. This means the thermal area supplying the Maurie Kjar Aquatic Centre has cooled.

During an Extra Ordinary Council Meeting in June, Council considered several heating options for the Maurie Kjar Aquatic Centre. Given the reports showing the decline in geothermal temperature in the township, a hybrid heat pump and solar solution was Council’s preferred option.

Council staff are currently working through the design and tendering process.

We understand the community’s frustration with the pools still being colder than usual. However, we want to ensure we find a long-term solution at the best price for our community.

Please be kind to our team at the Maurie Kjar Aquatic Centre. The issues with the geothermal bore are structural issues with the bore itself – they have not been caused by lack of maintenance or operational issues.

📣Community feedback sought for proposed speed review of SH34Reducing the speed limit on some State Highways in the Easte...
02/09/2026

📣Community feedback sought for proposed speed review of SH34
Reducing the speed limit on some State Highways in the Eastern Bay was raised at the Eastern Bay of Plenty Road Safety Operations Group meeting held on 18 February 2026.

Closer to home, the proposal seeks community feedback to review the speed limit and potentially extend the 70km/h speed limit zone on SH34, from past the Kawerau township traffic lights at the Fletcher Avenue intersection for another 3.6km, until beyond the railway crossing and Onepu Springs Road towards Whakatāne.

This is an initial community consultation step being undertaken by Kawerau District Council to understand the views of the community and those who use this stretch of road.

The results of the consultation and any recommendations by the Council, will be taken back to the EBOP Road Safety Operations Group, and then presented to NZTA.

Any formal speed review would be a separate NZTA-led process, subject to further assessment, consultation and decision-making requirements.

📝Have your say
🔗https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ZHRN6SM
👀More Information
🔗https://www.kaweraudc.govt.nz/have-your-say-consultations/consultation-proposed-speed-review-sh34-36km
⏰Submissions close 18 September 2026

📣 Community Grant Scheme - Applications are now open! Are you a non-profit organisation which has the ability to deliver...
31/08/2026

📣 Community Grant Scheme - Applications are now open!

Are you a non-profit organisation which has the ability to deliver services that have a significant benefit to people within the Kawerau community?
Council is now accepting Community Grant Scheme funding applications for the 2026/27 financial year.

All applications for funding must be submitted in writing.

Further details about the Community Grant Scheme, Application Forms and Accountability Forms are available from the Council Office or from the Council website here 👇🏿
https://www.kaweraudc.govt.nz/about-council/community-grants/community-grant-scheme

Applications are open now and must be received no later than 5.00pm on Friday 25 September 2026

Address

Ranfurly Court
Kawerau
3127

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm

Telephone

+6473069009

Website

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