Matamata-Piako District Council

11/06/2026

Are we focusing on the right things for the next 10 years?
That’s what we asked — and the message back was clear:
👉 we’re largely on the right track.
Thanks to everyone who took the time to share their thoughts over the past few months on what outcomes and priorities we should be focused on over the coming years.
Here’s what we heard loud and clear:
💬 Affordability matters — people are feeling the pressure
🛠️ Focus on the basics — look after what we’ve got
🔧 Take a longer-term approach — fix things properly
✅ Be easier to deal with — less red tape, more “can‑do”
There’s no shortage of ideas — but getting the balance right matters most.
Your feedback has helped confirm the direction and sharpen the priorities that will guide where Council focuses next as we prepare the next Long Term Plan.
👉 Read the full story and see what this means for our district at mpdc.nz/communityoutcomes

08/06/2026

Waikato Waters is coming soon — here’s what to expect
You may have heard that we’ll be transitioning our drinking water and wastewater services to Waikato Waters.

This isn’t a new decision — it follows the Local Water Done Well consultation and Council decisions made last year about how we manage water services into the future.

Waikato Waters is a council‑owned organisation set up by six Waikato councils, in response to the government's Local Water Done Well legislation.

We'll be making the transition on 1 October. While that's a few months away, we wanted to give you a heads-up on what to expect.

What does this mean for you right now?
In the first year:
👉 nothing changes in how you pay or who you contact
👉 water and wastewater charges stay on your Council rates notice
👉 you’ll still come to Council for queries or service issues

Looking ahead:
👉 At a point in the future, water and wastewater charges will move off Council rates and onto a separate bill from Waikato Waters
👉 You won’t be paying twice - it’s simply a change in who sends the bill
👉 Water revenue raised in our district will continue to be spent in our district
👉 Waikato Waters remains publicly owned by councils

▶️ Watch the short video below to see who's involved and what’s ahead.
🔗 Find out more: mpdc.nz/waterdonewell

08/06/2026

There’s been a lot of talk about changes to local government — and rightly so.
There’s a lot at stake for our communities. Check out Mayor Ash’s update below.
The tight timeframe Government has given councils to come up with proposals means we don’t have the luxury of time to get into the level of detail we’d normally want.
We’re focusing on the most realistic options in front of us. At this stage, that includes an Eastern Waikato approach — which we see as a more practical way to keep decisions closer to home and work with councils that share similar priorities.
A big part of this for our elected members is making sure we don’t lose our local voice and identity in the process. That’s important.
There’s still work to do and no decisions have been made.

We’ll be sharing more information shortly and inviting community feedback before anything is put to Government.

👉 Read more: mpdc.nz/lgchanges

05/06/2026

Love people, water, and leading a team?

We’re hiring x2 full-time Shift Supervisors; one for Swim Zone Matamata, and another to support the wider zone and events 🌊

If you’re reliable, confident, and keen for a job with variety, this could be your next move.

✅ Full-time hours
✅ Leadership role
✅ Upskill and training opportunities

Bring your energy, communication skills, and can-do attitude — plus the ability to swim 100m.
Up to 40 hours a week

Apply now and join a supportive team where no two days are the same. ☀️

We encourage early applications as we reserve the right to close applications before the advertised closing date, or if a suitable candidate is found.
Apply for this position at joinourteam.co.nz and enter the job code 38826FB.
Applications are closing soon, apply now!

04/06/2026

We have an orange severe thunderstorm watch for parts of Waikato, valid from 3pm - 8pm today (Friday 5 June). 🍊

Follow Civil Defence Waikato and check out MetService.com/warnings for more info.

***update 9pm 5 June. This thunderstorm watch is what the 90s band Lighthouse call “Lifted!” (That includes Waikato and Coromandel Peninsula).

Calvin Harris said it best “ready for the weekend”. That is all, as you were ☺️***

***Update 7pm 5 June: the thunderstorms are travelling east over the northern North Island. The thunderstorm watch is now valid until 10pm, including Coromandel Peninsula.***

Our friends at MetService New Zealand have issued a severe thunderstorm watch for parts of Waikato, valid from 3pm - 8pm today (Friday 5 June).

Also for The Coromandel Peninsula valid from 5pm-9pm today.

Thunderstorms will be accompanied by heavy rain of 10-25mm/h and wind gusts of 100km. There is a moderate risk of heavy downpours of 25/40mm/h with or without thunderstorms.

Rainfall of this intensity could cause flash flooding especially in low lying areas.

🍁 Clear gutters of leaves
🛝 secure backyard play equipment and outdoor furniture
🌧️ never enter floodwaters

Get more information: www.MetService.com/warnings

01/06/2026

It’s pretty murky out there and looks like rain is on the way 🌧️
MetService has issued a Heavy Rain Watch for the Waikato region, including Matamata-Piako district, from midnight tonight (1 June) to 10am tomorrow (2 June).

Keep an eye on MetService New Zealand for updates.

27/05/2026

Got garden waste? 🌲
Keep it out of your rubbish and recycling bins.

Grass clippings, leaves, weeds and branches can contaminate recycling loads, which means more material may end up in landfill. 🗑️
Green waste that goes to landfill can create environmentally harmful greenhouse gases.

Instead, compost what you can, use branches and bark as mulch, leave lawn clippings on the grass when appropriate, take larger loads to a transfer station, or use a private green waste service. 🍂

Sorting it properly helps protect recycling, reduce landfill, and keep our district cleaner. ✨

26/05/2026

Love the arts? 🎨
We’re looking for passionate people across the Matamata-Piako District to join our Creative Communities Scheme committee. Help review applications and support exciting local art projects in your community!
Do you know what’s happening in the arts locally, have creative experience, or bring valuable cultural knowledge?
👉 Want to know more or nominate yourself? Visit https://mpdc.nz/ccscm, email [email protected], or call 07 884 0060 and ask to speak to the Grants Co-Ordinator. Nominations close 26 June.
Let’s keep supporting a vibrant and diverse arts community together!

24/05/2026

It's time for our stock to get mooving! 🐮

Stock movement day (also known as gypsy day) is on Monday 1 June 2026. This is a special day in the farming calendar where farmers move their stock to new grazing land for the winter. Don't forget to submit your application for a stock permit online.
mpdc.nz/stockmovement

If you come across stock being transported around to different farms please remember to drive slowly and don't toot your horns.

23/05/2026

♻️ Keeping our transfer stations running smoothly doesn’t happen by accident.

We’re on the lookout for a Refuse Transfer Station (RTS) Operator to join our team.

If you enjoy being outdoors and take pride in keeping things running as they should, this could be right up your alley.

🛠️ One minute you’re guiding customers and keeping traffic flowing, the next you’re tackling windblown litter, operating machinery, or making sure everything on site is safe, sorted and under control. It’s hands‑on, varied, and you’ll finish the day knowing you’ve made a real difference.

👷 You’ll fit right in if you…
Like practical work, don’t shy away from the outdoors, and can keep your cool while dealing with all sorts of people. You’re someone who notices what needs doing and just gets on with it — whether that’s helping a customer, pitching in with the team, or keeping the site looking sharp.

👍 You’ll be part of a supportive crew, get opportunities to build your skills, and do work that keeps our community ticking (and a whole lot tidier).

👉 Apply now by using the link in the comments below
🔢 Job code: 38842FB
⏰ Applications close midday Wednesday, 3 June 2026